Ríos de Paz (Peace Rivers)

Río Atrato: awarded Biocultural Rights by the Colombian Constitutional Court.

Come and hear from the Guardians of the Atrato, community representatives from the Afro-Colombian communities along the Río Atrato, about how this court decision is key to sustainable peace in the biodiverse hot spot of Chocó.

The Guardians of the Atrato will discuss how the sentence (T-622) is being implemented, and the obstacles and dangers they face as they seek to achieve this in one of the areas of Colombia that continues to be most impacted by the conflict. Speaking alongside them will be a representative from the Diócesis of Quibdo, who supports the communities in their struggle for their human rights and the biocultural rights of the river.

This is a unique opportunity to hear from communities living in a remote region of Colombia who are trying to protect the biodiversity of this tropical area through legal instruments, with support from the Centro de Estudios de Tierra Digna at the national level, and international support from a range of INGOs and academic institutions.

Chair: Andrei Gómez-Suárez (Honorary Senior Research Associate, UCL Institute of the Americas, and member of Rodeemos el Diálogo)

Speakers:

• Vianney Enrique Moya Rua (Diócesis of Quibdo)
• Fausto Palacios Garcia (Guardian of the Atrato River, Chocó)
• Alba Marina Quintana Achito (Guardian of the Atrato River, Chocó)
• Dr Mo Hume, (Senior Lecturer, Glasgow University)
• Louise Winstanley (Programme and Advocacy Manager, ABColombia)