Victoria en segunda instancia: Sala Civil de Loreto ratifica sentencia que declara al río Marañón y sus afluentes como sujeto de derecho

Una nueva victoria para mujeres kukama y pueblos indígenas de la Amazonía. Pese a las apelaciones presentadas por Petroperú y otras entidades del Estado contra la sentencia que otorgó derechos al Marañón, la Sala Civil de la Corte de Loreto decidió ratificar el fallo en segunda instancia y confirmar las medidas de protección para el río Marañón​.

CONTACTO PARA PRENSA:

Alexis Revollé, Instituto de Defensa Legal (IDL), arevolle@idl.org.pe

Javier Ruiz, Earth Law Center, jruiz@earthlaw.org

29 de octubre de 2024 - La Sala Civil de la Corte de Loreto confirmó la emblemática sentencia emitida por el Juzgado Mixto de Nauta en marzo de este año, que otorgó derechos al río Marañón y sus afluentes. Se trata de un fallo histórico en la defensa de la naturaleza y su conexión con comunidades indígenas, ya que por primera vez en el Perú la Justicia reconoce a un río como titular de derecho, tomando en cuenta la cosmovisión del pueblo Kukama Kukamiria.

Con ello, la protección del río Marañón obtiene una nueva victoria gracias a los esfuerzos liderados por la Federación Huaynakana Kamatahuara Kana (que se traduce al español como “mujeres trabajadoras”), conformada por un grupo de mujeres indígenas kukama kukamiria, arraigadas en el distrito de Parinari, región Loreto. Frente a los constantes derrames de petróleo del Oleoducto Norperuano, operado por Petroperú, ellas iniciaron una batalla legal en el año 2021, contra entidades del Estado para exigir la protección del río Marañón.

Esta nueva sentencia en segunda instancia ratificó al río Marañón como titular de derechos. La resolución detalla que dicha decisión obedece “a las crecientes presiones hacia los ecosistemas, los mismos que ponen en riesgo su existencia y función, ambiental, social y vital; (...) a los múltiples derrames de hidrocarburos (petróleo) de los que ha sido víctima el río Marañón durante los últimos años”.

Como se recuerda, luego de la sentencia en primera instancia, tres de las entidades demandadas en el proceso, el Ministerio del Ambiente, la Autoridad Nacional del Agua (adscrita al Ministerio de Desarrollo Agrario y Riego) y Petroperú, habían presentado apelaciones para revocarla.

La ratificación de este fallo es resultado, además, de una audiencia realizada el último mes de mayo, en la que intervinieron Emilsen Flores y Gilda Fasabi, integrantes de la federación Huaynakana Kamatahuara Kana. En el acto judicial, ambas defendieron su lucha por la protección del río Marañón ante las juezas de la Sala Civil de Loreto, y solicitaron que se confirmen las disposiciones de la sentencia en primera instancia.

“Estamos contentas y agradecidas con las comunidades, los pueblos y los aliados por todo el trabajo conjunto que venimos realizando desde hace años. Este logro es para la Amazonía y el país, pero también para el mundo entero. Porque defender los ríos es parte de nuestras vidas, para dejar como herencia a las futuras generaciones”, dice Mari Luz Canaquiri, presidenta de la federación Huaynakana Kamatahuara Kana, sobre la ratificación de la emblemática sentencia.

Reconocimiento histórico

En este nuevo fallo, se confirma la sentencia de primera instancia en todos sus extremos, y además ordena a Petroperú dar mantenimiento “efectivo, inmediato e integral” al Oleoducto Norperuano. Se considera también el reconocimiento de los derechos del río Marañón como una alternativa necesaria para protegerlo de los constantes derrames de petróleo. Así, la Sala establece que los derechos reconocidos deben enmarcarse en su protección, conservación, mantenimiento y uso sostenible.

Asimismo, la sala confirma el pedido de conformar los consejos de cuenca para el río Marañón y sus afluentes, y encarga al Gobierno Regional de Loreto la obligación de convocarlos e institucionalizarlos, con la participación de la Autoridad Nacional del Agua.

Sobre la designación de defensores y representantes, la Sala confirma la sentencia de primera instancia, considerando que ello se encuentra orientado a lograr una adecuada representación para quien no puede hacer valer sus derechos por sí mismo. 

Es importante destacar  el voto complementario de la jueza Roxana Carrión Ramírez en esta resolución, que reconoce la cosmovisión del pueblo Kukama con respecto al río Marañón: “Para el pueblo kukama, el río Marañón es su centro del universo, tienen una conexión profunda, una relación intrínseca entre ellos y el río es la fuente de alimento, agua y transporte del pueblo kukama”.

En definitiva, con esta nueva resolución judicial, de ahora en adelante se podrá cuestionar judicialmente toda actividad extractiva o de otra índole que afecten los derechos ya reconocidos al Marañón y sus afluentes.

“La lucha de las mujeres de la federación Huaynakana no ha sido en vano. Finalmente, los jueces de la Sala de la Corte de Loreto han entendido la necesidad no solo de ratificar la sentencia de la jueza de Nauta que reconoce derechos al río Marañón, sino también de proteger al río como un elemento de la naturaleza, y consecuentemente a la naturaleza como sujeto de derecho”, remarca la abogada Maritza Quispe Mamani, del Instituto de Defensa Legal (IDL), quien es parte del equipo que presentó y sustentó la demanda de las kukama.

“Aún hay un camino largo por recorrer, pues nos toca ahora solicitar la implementación de esta sentencia a través de la ejecución de la misma, a fin de que las autoridades del Estado cumplan con los mandatos ordenados, especialmente el mantenimiento del ONP, la actualización del IGA, la misma que debe ser consultada con los pueblos indígenas”, concluye la especialista.

Es importante recordar, finalmente, que este resultado es fruto de un esfuerzo colectivo gracias la articulación y apoyo de aliados por la defensa del río Marañón: Instituto de Defensa Legal; International Rivers; Earth Law Center; Forum Solidaridad Perú; Quisca; Instituto Chaikuni; Radio Ucamara; Radio La Voz de La Selva; Mirella Pretell; la Parroquia Santa Rita de Castilla; y el Vicariato de Iquitos, en particular el Obispo Miguel Ángel Cadenas y el P. Manolo Berjón.

Landmark Victory: Civil Court of Loreto Upholds Ruling Recognizing Rights of the Marañón River and Its Tributaries in Appellate Decision

The ruling marks a significant victory for the Kukama Women and Indigenous Peoples of the Amazon. Despite appeals by Petroperú and other state entities challenging the decision to grant rights to the Marañón River, judges from the Civil Court of Loreto upheld the original ruling and confirmed protective measures for the river.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Alexis Revollé, Instituto de Defensa Legal (IDL), arevolle@idl.org.pe (Spanish)

Javier Ruiz, Earth Law Center, jruiz@earthlaw.org

Peru - October 30, 2024 – The Civil Court of Loreto has confirmed the landmark ruling issued by the Mixed Court of Nauta in March, which granted intrinsic rights to the Marañón River—one of Peru's most vital water sources and the primary tributary of the Amazon River. This decision establishes the Marañón River and its tributaries as rights holders, recognizing a set of inherent rights that protect its ecological integrity.

This historic ruling, the first in Peru to recognize a river as a legal rights holder, highlights a deep connection between nature and Indigenous communities. The victory is also a testament to the efforts led by the Huaynakana Kamatahuara Kana Federation, an Indigenous Kukama women's group from the Parinari district in Loreto province and region.

The Marañón River is one of Peru’s most important rivers and freshwater sources. Originating high in the Andes Mountains, it flows through a mountain valley before descending to the lowlands, where it merges with the Ucayali River to form the Amazon.

Since 1997, the Marañón has suffered over 60 oil spills from the Northern Peruvian Oil Pipeline and continues to face threats from proposed infrastructure projects, including hydroelectric dams and the Amazon Waterway, which multiple agencies, including the International Union for Conservation of Nature, have flagged as highly destructive. The river is also contaminated by mercury and other hazardous substances due to illegal gold mining, further endangering its ecosystems and the communities that depend on it.

Since 2021, the Huaynakana Kamatahuara Kana Federation has led a legal battle against the Peruvian State and authorities, demanding protection for the Marañón River from ongoing oil spills linked to the Northern Peruvian Oil Pipeline, operated by the state-owned Petroperú. The communities within this federation are still grappling with the devastating impacts of the 2010 Saramuro oil spill, which contaminated the main water source of communities along the river near San José de Saramuro. The lawsuit targets major actors, including Petroperú, government ministries, and the National Water Authority, among others.

With this second ruling, and despite appeals by the Ministry of Environment, the National Water Authority, and Petroperú to overturn the initial decision, the protection of the Marañón River has secured another significant victory.

The new resolution specifies  that this decision is a response to "the increasing pressures on ecosystems, which threaten their existence and essential functions - environmental, social and vital; (...) to the multiple oil spills that the Marañón River has suffered in recent years.”

The ratification of this ruling also stems from a hearing held last May, where Emilsen Flores and Gilda Fasabi, members of the Huaynakana Kamatahuara Kana Federation, represented their community. During the proceeding, both women passionately advocated for the protection of the Marañón River before the judges of the Civil Court of Loreto, urging them to uphold the measures set forth in the initial ruling.

“We are happy and grateful to the communities, the people, and our allies for all the joint work we have been doing for years. This achievement is for the Amazon and the country, but also for the entire world. Because defending the rivers is part of our lives, to leave as a legacy for future generations,"  says Mari Luz Canaquiri, president of the Federation Huaynakana Kamatahuara Kana, regarding the confirmation of the landmark ruling.

In this new ruling, the initial judgment is fully upheld, and Petroperú is ordered to provide "effective, immediate, and comprehensive" maintenance for the Norperuano Oil Pipeline. The recognition of the rights of the Marañón River is affirmed as a vital step to shield it from ongoing oil spills. The Chamber specifies that these recognized rights must be framed within principles of protection, conservation, maintenance, and sustainable use.

The court also upholds the initial judgment on appointing defenders and representatives, deeming it essential to ensure proper representation for those unable to assert their rights independently.

In her supplementary opinion, Judge Roxana Carrión Ramírez underscored her respect for the Kukama people's worldview, stating, “For the Kukama people, the Marañón River is the center of their universe. They share a profound, intrinsic relationship with the river, which serves as their primary source of food, water, and transportation.”

From now on, any extractive or other activity impacting the Marañón River and its tributaries—whether infringing on their right to flow free from contamination or their right to protection, preservation, and restoration—can be legally challenged.

“The struggle of the women of the Huaynakana Federation has not been in vain. The Loreto Court has upheld the Nauta ruling, recognizing rights for the Marañón River and affirming nature as a subject of rights,” emphasizes Maritza Quispe Mamani, lawyer at the Legal Defense Institute (IDL), who helped present and support the Kukama case.

“There is still much work ahead; we must now ensure this ruling is implemented, compelling state authorities to fulfill their mandates, particularly the maintenance of the North Peruvian Pileline (ONP) and the update of the National Environmental Management Instrument (IGA), which must include consultations with Indigenous communities,” concludes the specialist.

This outcome is the result of a collective effort supporting the women of Huaynakana Kamatahuara Kana in their defense of the Marañón River, with allies including the Instituto de Defensa Legal, International Rivers, Earth Law Center, Forum Solidaridad Perú, Quisca, Instituto Chaikuni, Radio Ucamara, Radio La Voz de la Selva, Mirella Pretell, the Parish of Santa Rita de Castilla, and the Apostolic Vicariate of Iquitos, particularly Bishop Miguel Ángel Cadenas and Father Manolo Berjón.

New Report Champions Legal and Financial Support for Earth-Centered Laws and Governance Ahead of Biodiversity Negotiations in Cali, Colombia

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 3, 2024

Contact: Grant Wilson (gwilson@earthlaw.org, +1-510-566-1063)

Cali, Colombia— As countries prepare for the next round of global biodiversity negotiations at COP16, a new report, Ecocentrism in the Global Biodiversity Framework, outlines how developing countries, in particular the least developed countries and small island developing States, can secure portions of the Global Biodiversity Framework Fund (GBF Fund) – intended to reach $200 billion per year by 2030 – to harmonize their legal systems with the laws of Nature under the framework of “Mother Earth centric actions.”

Earth Law Center (ELC), alongside Rights of Mother Earth, Lawyers for Nature, End Ecocide Sweden, and Keystone Species Alliance, released the new report highlighting the potential to include transformative Earth-centered legal commitments in national biodiversity strategies. Specifically, the report calls for countries to incorporate the intrinsic value of Nature, the Rights of Nature (or Rights of Mother Earth), and other ecocentric commitments into their National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs). 

Photo courtesy of Samuel LeGrys

NBSAPs are each country’s roadmap to meet the goals of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), the landmark 2022 biodiversity agreement aimed at reversing biodiversity loss and living in harmony with Nature by 2050. The report underscores that we stand at a unique juncture for nations to align with Earth-centered law and governance.

"To halt and reverse the biodiversity crisis, nations must urgently transform their laws and societies to live in harmony with Nature," said Grant Wilson, Executive Director of Earth Law Center and co-author of the report. "The Global Biodiversity Framework presents an unprecedented opportunity to advance the Rights of Nature and other transformative legal paradigms for the planet. For many countries, this could also mean receiving significant financial support, catalyzing a profound shift in how we relate to and protect the natural world."

The report further analyzes NBSAPs as essential roadmaps for implementing the GBF. It highlights countries including Slovenia, Aotearoa New Zealand, and Fiji that have already integrated ecocentric language into their plans. These countries are leading the way toward proving that legal affirmation of the intrinsic value of Nature and supporting the Rights of Nature can help achieve biodiversity targets.

Photo courtesy of Samuel LeGrys

The report also explores how to fund emerging ecocentric law movements. Target 19 of the Global Biodiversity Framework specifically allocates funding for “Mother Earth centric actions,” which are defined as ecocentric and rights-based approaches. This includes a range of commitments, such as Rights of Nature, legal guardianship of ecosystems, and Nature-conscious governance. The funding is primarily aimed at developing nations, presenting an opportunity to secure financial resources that can transform legal and governance systems toward Earth-centered laws. The GBF Fund is already operational and providing funding, as detailed in a chart in Section IV of the report, “Financing,” of approved Project Preparation Grants that highlight ecocentrism and Mother Earth centric actions). Yet it still has a long way to go to meet its $200 billion annual commitment by 2030.

One of the report’s key findings is the recognition of the intrinsic value of Nature itself. This principle is essential to transforming humanity’s relationship with the natural world. It calls for a paradigm shift wherein Nature is recognized not merely as a resource for human use but as a living entity with its own rights and inherent value. This shift is crucial for achieving the Convention’s 2050 vision of "Living in Harmony with Nature."

The report also provides an analysis of how ecocentric legal frameworks can be applied across various cultural and legal contexts to promote Earth-centered laws that support the health of all living beings. While Rights of Nature are an emerging framework in many countries, other ecocentric law movements that give Nature a voice or center the legal system in our connection with the Natural world are taking root in parallel.

Notably, the report was primarily authored by law school and undergraduate interns working alongside sponsoring organizations. These youth advocates, increasingly vocal in their support of Rights of Nature and ecocentric law, will join the Earth Law Center delegation at COP16 to engage with governments on how to implement transformative Earth-centered policies.

***

Additional quotes:

"To achieve COP16’s theme of ‘Peace with Nature,’ acknowledging the Rights of Nature and Mother Earth should be at the top of the priority list of the Biodiversity Convention, not merely in the footnote,” remarked Doris Ragettli, Co-Founder of Rights of Mother Earth. “Just as the Human Rights Declaration paved the way for peace after WWII, we must now make Nature’s rights a global priority."

"Emerging initiatives to protect the Rights of Nature should be central to the journey to protect and restore biodiversity," said Jeremie Gilbert, an affiliate of Lawyers for Nature. "Our report shows that over 30 countries already recognize Rights of Nature through constitutional provisions, laws, or court decisions. Achieving 'Peace with Nature' requires incorporating these rights into biodiversity conservation efforts globally."

"The urgent need for societal transformation to meet the targets of the Convention on Biodiversity is increasingly recognized," stated Pella Thiel, Co-Founder of End Ecocide Sweden. "Truly transformative steps must address the root of the problem, which this paper does, with concrete actions that governments and other actors can take to move toward the Convention’s 2050 goal of living in harmony with Nature."

"It is incredibly inspiring to see people from all over the world with diverse interests uniting to uphold the intrinsic value of Nature,” said Emily Zinkula, a Stanford Law student who contributed to the paper as an intern at ELC. “For many of us, Nature's right to be protected feels intuitive. Seeing ELC and its partners tirelessly work to turn that intuition into a global truth is empowering. The recognition of Nature's Rights by global leaders gives much-needed hope, courage, and validation to a generation longing for it."