About | HeinOnline Law Journal Library | HeinOnline Law Journal Library | HeinOnline

LOG IN
LOG IN


19 McGill J. Sust. Dev. L. 1 (2022-2025)

handle is hein.journals/mcgijosd19 and id is 1 raw text is: Strategic Human Rights Litigation Due to Historical Environmental Contamination: Comparative Analysis of Two Chilean Cases Federico Diaz Chac6n* Abstract: Countless historically contaminated territories currently exist in the world. This problem is even more complex when contaminatedterritories are located nearpopulatedareas, affecting the right to life, health, physical and psychological integrity, and a healthy environment for inhabitants. In this context, litigation has become an important instrument for advancing human rights. Nonetheless, many of these human rights cases do notproduce the positive results that are expected, both in the short term and long term. As such, this article examines how the legal system could effectively address historical environmental problems that affect human rights. This article develops a comparative analysis oftwo well-known cases of historical environmental contamination in Chile that occurred in 2018 and 2019: the Quintero Puchuncavi case and the Copiap6 Tierra Amarilla case. Both cases involved a violation ofhuman rights, individual and collective; addressed vulnerable populations and distributive justice; and denounced state omissions. Regardless of these similarities, the processes were carried out differently, with disparate results. This article analyzes the strategies andjudicialprocesses ofthese cases-and their results to date-and seeks to better understand strategic human rights litigation around historical environmental contamination. Hopefully, this greater comprehension will increase the likelihood of their success and advance the respect andprotection ofhuman rights. Rssums: Il existe une quantiti incalculable de territoires historiquement contaminis dans le monde. Ce problsme se complexifie davantage lorsque les territoires contamines se situent a proximiti de regions habities, touchant le droit e la vie, a la sante, a l'integriti physique et psychologique et a un environnement sain. Dans ce contexte, le litige est devenu un outil important dans la promotion des droits humains. Nianmoins, plusieurs de ces affaires en droits humains n'atteignent pas les risultats positifi escomptes, que ce soit d court ou a long terme. Ainsi, cet article examine comment le systime juridique pourrait repondre efficacement aux problsmes environnementaux historiques affectant les droits humains. Cet article developpe une analyse comparative de deux cas notoires de contamination environnementale historique au Chili qui se sontproduits en 2018 et2019: l'affaire Quintero Puchuncavi et l'affaire Copiap6 Tierra Amarilla. Les deux affaires concernaient une violation des droits humains, individuels et collectifs ; s'interessaient a des populations vulnirables et a la justice distributive et dinonfaient des omissions de l£tat. Malgri ces similitudes, les processus en justice ont iti mends diffremment, avec des risultats disparates. Cet article analyse les strategies et processus judiciaires de ces affaires et leurs resultats jusqu'a present afin de contribuer a une meilleure comprehension du litige stratigique en matiere de droits humains concernant la contamination environnementale historique. Avec espoir, cette comprehension approfondiepourra augmenter leurs chances de reussite etpromouvoir le respect et la protection des droits humains. Titre enfrangais : Le litige stratsgique lis a la contamination environnementale historique : analyse comparative de deux affaires chiliennes * Federico Diaz Chac6n is a lawyer, Licentiate in Philosophy and Diploma in Environment and Sustainable Development, Pontificia Universidad Cat6lica de Chile; and LL.M., McGill University. The author thanks Professor Nandini Ramanujam for her helpful comments, support, and advice on the earlier draft of this article, as well as the anonymous peer reviewers and the McGill Journal of Sustainable Development Law's editorial team for their insightful and constructive comments throughout the publication process. Any errors are the author's responsibility.