Lake Vättern case tried at the European Rights of Nature Tribunal
The third hearing of the European Tribunal for Aquatic Ecosystems took place on March 27th, 2021 at 5 pm (Paris time).
Local people around Vättern have fought for many years to protect the lake. The Vättern case was brought to international attention through the International Rights Of Nature Tribunal, organized by the European Hub of the Global Alliance for the Rights of Nature. Lake Vättern is one of five selected areas in Europe where a European Tribunal for Aquatic Ecosystems will symbolically examine if the rights of Lake Vättern have been violated by various polluting activities affecting the Lake.
There is still time to act. From January to March 2021, the European Tribunal for the Rights of Aquatic Ecosystems heard three cases of aquatic entities to be protected in Europe: the Mer de Glace France, the rivers of French Guiana, and today (March 27th), the case of the Lake Vättern in Sweden. There are two more hearings coming up for this Tribunal: the rivers of the Balkans (April 24th) and the Mediterranean Sea threatened by red mud in Marseille (May 29th).
This Tribunal aims to recognize the rights of Nature means recognizing the interdependence between humans and Nature and accepting that States, companies, and humans can no longer dispose of it with impunity. Thus, it is a necessity to establish the legal personality of Nature in order to systematically take it into account in our political and societal choices. This legal evolution is necessary for the preservation of life.
Watch the hearing:
If you’re interested in knowing more about the Tribunals, click here.
Download the press releases:
