Nature Rights Tribunal to Examine Six Amazon Oil Exploitation Cases in Ecuador

An international tribunal is convening in Puyo, Ecuador, to examine six cases of oil exploitation that are impacting the Amazon region across South America. The tribunal's third regional session is taking place within the framework of the XII Pan-Amazon Social Forum (FOSPA), which has gathered indigenous, peasant, environmental, and civil society organizations to discuss threats to the Amazon and coordinate protection efforts.

Natalia Greene, director of the Global Alliance for the Rights of Nature and secretary of the tribunal, explained that the session will hear six cases concerning oil exploitation in Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela, Bolivia, Ecuador, and Peru. She highlighted that the focus is on the common problem of expanding oil extraction in the Amazonian countries.

The International Tribunal of the Rights of Nature is an ethical, non-binding body. Its purpose is to raise awareness of territorial conflicts, connect communities facing similar issues, and issue verdicts that can serve as references for their claims. One of the cases under review involves Ecuador's Yasuní National Park, coinciding with the third anniversary of a referendum where nearly 59% of voters favored leaving oil reserves in the ITT block (Ishpingo-Tambococha-Tiputini) underground.

The FOSPA Ecuador 2026, held in Puyo from August 16 to 22, aims to conclude with a joint action plan for defending the Amazon. The forum is organized into thematic "houses," including "Territory free of extractivism" (covering oil, mining, and rights of nature), "Self-determination and sovereignty" (especially for indigenous peoples), "Economy and climate justice," and "Women and diversities." These activities, along with a youth camp and the International Tribunal, will facilitate discussions to finalize the action plan.