Destructive forest law axed in Colombia

Environmental and indigenous rights groups claimed victory when a law exploiting forests and the people safeguarding them was axed by the Constitutional Court of Columbia yesterday.

The controversial forest law that favoured logging companies and violated the rights of indigenous peoples and Afro-Columbian communities was dropped following an intensive campaign by a coalition of organisations.

The court recognised that the law opened up Colombia’s rainforests to unsustainable exploitation. It acknowledged that the indigenous and Afro-Colombian communities, who are the legitimate owners and custodians of many of Colombia’s rainforests, had not been consulted.

“This is a victory for the environmentalism movement in Colombia. It shows what can be done against corporate interests that pollute national legislations,” said Yolanda Sikking of CENSAT Selvas, a Rainforest Foundation project partner.

“This is a great triumph for forest communities,” said Cath Long, Rainforest Foundation Programme Director. “We hope that it will give heart to those in other parts of the world fighting to protect their forests and their rights.”

For more information visit the censat website