Original article: «No molestar, ley durmiendo»: Instalan cama frente al Congreso a 1 año del despacho del proyecto que protege a defensores ambientales

Escazú Ahora Activates Awareness with Bed Installation to Highlight Year-long Delay in Environmental Defender Protection Law

A bed placed in front of the National Congress in Valparaíso, accompanied by a document resting against it, marked the intervention by Escazú Ahora, commemorating one year since the Lower Chamber dispatched the bill aimed at recognizing and protecting defenders of nature and environmental human rights to the Senate.

This initiative, associated with Bill No. 16.886-12, is currently in its second constitutional procedure and has been referred to the Senate’s Human Rights, Nationality and Citizenship Committee.

The Escazú Ahora intervention sought to symbolically represent the time elapsed since that legislative milestone and juxtapose it with the ongoing challenges faced by environmental defenders across various regions of the country.

Aggressions Increased by 148%

«A year ago, the Lower Chamber approved the bill that recognizes and protects environmental defenders with overwhelming support. It has now been a year since that project has been idle in the Senate’s Human Rights Committee,» stated Sebastián Benfeld, Executive Director of Escazú Ahora.

«Between 2024 and 2025, aggressions against environmental defenders in Chile surged by 148%, with less than 10% of these cases receiving effective judicial responses. It is urgent for the Senate to awaken. They need to take action to address this dramatic situation before it’s too late,» Benfeld added.

According to the latest Annual Report on Environmental Defenders produced by the organization, 72 aggressions against 67 environmental defenders in Chile were documented in 2025.

Of the individuals affected during 2025, 55.2% were women, while institutional findings used by Escazú Ahora indicate that 82.9% of actions linked to these cases are still pending.

«Today, defending the environment in Chile is a dangerous act. The vast majority of environmental defenders who have suffered aggression recently have endured physical attacks. We are talking about beatings, arson attempts, and in light of this, it is crucial that we have a law acknowledging the tremendous work done by these defenders and protect those who are at risk for safeguarding our common resources,» Benfeld emphasized.

Meanwhile, Natalia Sanhueza from the Tremendas Foundation urged the political class to fulfill their commitments, while warning that the government’s budget has slashed resources for the Escazú Agreement’s implementation by 100%.

«Currently, there has been a significant cut in funds allocated to the Ministry of Environment, particularly for the Environmental Evaluation Service for oversight. Although it is vital for the country to grow, it is equally important to protect nature and ensure individuals live in a dignified and uncontaminated environment,» Sanhueza indicated.

What Does the Bill Propose?

The bill aims to protect and promote the rights of human rights defenders in environmental matters by establishing adequate and effective mechanisms.

Among its provisions, it recognizes the right to perform environmental defense work in a safe and violence-free environment, along with access to information, public participation, environmental oversight, and judicial protection.

Santony Cortés, territorial defender from Caleta Chanavayita, stated, «We are here today because a year ago, a fundamental bill for those of us defending nature has been lying dormant. A project meant to provide protection to every individual who dedicates their life to what belongs to everyone.»

«Today, it is crucial that we raise our voices for each person who has been silenced and intimidated, for every individual who is now being murdered in Chile and across Latin America. It is vital that we push harder for a bill that safeguards every environmental defender,» the environmental defender highlighted.

The text also establishes obligations for state agencies regarding protection and coordination, along with the duty to adopt appropriate, effective, and timely measures to prevent, investigate, and sanction attacks, threats, or intimidation against environmental defenders.