The disastrous impact that multinationals have on the environment can no longer be denied. The human right to live in a healthy environment concerns us all, therefore, FIDH and its member organisations are launching coordinated legal actions across the world. The companies implicated and States which allow it to happen must be held accountable.
The first legal actions
- 1.Ecuador The Waorani community and our organizations against the Chinese company Petro-
- Oriental
- 2.Chile The communities of Quintero and Puchuncaví and our organisations against AES Gener and environmental authorities
- 3.Colombia Local communities affected by Cerrejon coal mine and our organisations against the State
- 4.Chile The inhabitants of Osorno and our organizations against the French multinational Suez
- 5.Colombia Local communities affected by Cerrejon coal mine and our organisations at the Inter-American Court
It is time to recognize the right to a healthy environment as a fundamental human right and to hold companies accountable for their actions.
- Environmental impact = human impact Because human rights and the environment are interdependent, it is crucial that States recognise the right to a healthy environment as a fundamental human right. Hundreds of organisations are fighting for a UN resolution to achieve international recognition of this.
- Restoring a healthy environment to affected communities In the face of environmental disasters and human rights violations, the balance is still too often tipped in favour of the companies involved. Ensuring access to justice for those most affected and passing laws which hold multinationals accountable are also means to protect the planet.
Hans Thoolen on Human Rights Defenders and their awards 
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