We at the Global Alliance for the Rights of Nature are proud of historical milestones that reflect not only the dedication of those who defend and love nature, but also of how times have changed and have a potential to redefine the way we look at nature and its components. Looking at nature as a subject and not an object is at the core of what we try to convey to the world.
On January 30th, 2019, a legal document was submitted to the Ecuadorian Supreme Court, arguing for the Rights of Nature in favor of sharks and their rights. The Penal Code of Ecuador sanctions wildlife crimes as crimes against Nature. Hence, judges must reason their decision in terms of rights constitutionally recognized to Nature. The petition is based upon article 71 of the Ecuadorian Constitution, which allows citizens to request law enforcement of these rights, to any public authority. This is the first time that civil society applies article 71 of the Constitution on a penal case, at the Supreme Court level.
It was a tremendous effort, given that arguments are not founded upon environmental rights, but on Rights of Nature. This endevour cannot be handled as an Amicus Curiae, and rather, it is a way to implement the constitutional right of petition.
If you would like to find out more about this case, please click on this link> https://www.garn.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/For-the-Love-of-Sharks.pdf
If you would like to access the legal document delivered to the court, please click here> https://www.garn.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Legal-arguments-for-the-shark-case-in-Ecuador.pdf
At the moment it is in Spanish but we will upload the translated version as soon as it is available.