How is the protection of human rights crucial to defending our environment? Through the lens of the iconic Amazon basin, Amazon Watch’s Spring 2012 “Green-Bag Lunch” Series will examine the current day threats to both the rainforest and her peoples. IPS Associate Fellow, Manuel Pérez Rocha will lead a session about extractive corporations suing Latin American countries in International Tribunals.

Several countries in Latin America seek to increase the benefits of those resources for their own people, while attempting to maintain an environmental balance. But in the context of high global prices for natural resources, they are finding themselves increasingly at odds with transnational corporations. Manuel’s presentation will explain how the victimizers sue the victims of environmental harm for millions of dollars in closed-door international tribunals, and the increasing resistance of communities throughout Latin America.