El Salvador Proposed Constitutional Amendment to Recognize the Rights of Nature

Summary

In 2021, the political movement Rebelión Verde El Salvador (ReverdES) presented a proposal for constitutional reform to the Legislative Assembly of El Salvador in order to recognize the rights of Nature at the constitutional level. The proposal aims to modify Articles 1, 2, 3, 28-A, 4, 5 and 6 of the Constitution to recognize rights of Nature.

The proposed text for Article 1 reads “Nature is also recognized as a subject of rights, since it generates, reproduces and realizes life. Recognized rights include the right to full respect for Nature’s existence, the maintenance and regeneration of its vital cycles, structure, functions and evolutionary processes. It is the duty of the State to adopt the necessary measures to guarantee the fulfillment and protection of Nature’s rights, as well as its diversity and integrity, in order to ensure the legacy of an environment that will provide the conditions for a dignified life for future generations. The protection, conservation, rational use, restoration or substitution of natural assets is declared to be of social interest, under the terms established by law. The introduction into the national territory of nuclear waste and toxic waste is prohibited. These provisions shall be applied in accordance with the best interests of Nature and its rights, and in harmony with the principle of In Dubio ProNatura.”