Tribunal Digital Library - Rights Of Nature Tribunal

Welcome to the Digital Library of the International Rights of Nature Tribunal — a comprehensive repository of the Tribunal’s foundational documents, judgments, and policies.

Here you will find:

The Universal Declaration of the Rights of Mother Earth
The constitutional documents of the International Rights of Nature Tribunal
All official hearing resolutions, statements, and judgments issued after each Tribunal session
The Tribunal’s institutional policies guiding its work and procedures

The documents contained in this Digital Library are official materials produced by the International Rights of Nature Tribunal, its secretariat, and collaborating organizations. These may include Tribunal judgments, case files, declarations, legal submissions, and other records related to proceedings of the Tribunal.

These materials are made publicly available to support research, education, advocacy, and the advancement of the Rights of Nature. When citing or reproducing these documents, appropriate attribution to the International Rights of Nature Tribunal must be provided.

Suggested citation: International Rights of Nature Tribunal, [Case Name or Document Title], Digital Library, Year.

Unless otherwise indicated, materials in this library may be used for non-commercial purposes only. Any commercial use, republication, or redistribution requires prior written permission.

While we strive to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information presented, this archive is a living repository and may be updated as additional documents or corrections become available. If you identify an omission, error, or incorrect attribution, please notify us at organizer@rightsofnaturetribunal.org so that we may review and correct the record.

UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF THE RIGHTS OF MOTHER EARTH

Adopted on April 22, 2010, in Cochabamba, Bolivia, during the World People’s Conference on Climate Change and the Rights of Mother Earth, this civil society declaration recognizes Mother Earth (Pachamama) as a living entity with inherent rights. It also outlines the corresponding responsibilities of States, peoples, and institutions toward the Earth community.

Although non-binding, the Declaration serves as a normative framework for Earth-centered governance and a cornerstone for global environmental advocacy.

It provides the legal and ethical foundation for the International Rights of Nature Tribunal, whose judges use it to evaluate and deliberate on cases involving violations of Nature’s rights.

POLICIES

Policies are the internal instruments that guide the operations and priorities of the International Rights of Nature Tribunal. They provide frameworks for decision-making and support the Tribunal’s ongoing work.

[ENG] Policy on Defenders of Mother Earth and Territories

[ESP] Política sobre Defensores de la Madre Tierra y los Territorios

CONSTITUTIONAL DOCUMENTS

The International Rights of Nature Tribunal operates under a set of constitutional documents that define its existence, structure, and procedures.

Convention
(ENG | ESP)

HEARING RESOLUTIONS, STATEMENTS & JUDGMENTS

A judgment represents the final outcome of a Tribunal session. It consolidates testimonies, evidence, and the judges’ deliberations into an official record, including resolutions, exhortations, and recommendations.

When a session does not conclude with a formal judgment, the Tribunal may issue a hearing resolution or statement.

*Note on terminology: Since 2025, the Tribunal has adopted the term “Judgment” for these official documents, distinguishing them from the oral verdict announced at the close of each session. Earlier documents may still use the term verdict.