Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University issued the following announcement on Oct. 13.
The Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University has conferred the 2019-2020 Elisabeth Haub Award for Environmental Law and Diplomacy in memoriam on environmental defenders who have lost their lives defending their land and the environment from destructive industries.
The award ceremony was held online via Zoom from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm (EDT) on Monday, October 12—Indigenous Peoples’ Day. The ceremony was preceded by a panel discussion featuring distinguished environmental advocates and activists.
The number of attacks against environmental defenders continues to rise, with 212 killings documented by Global Witness in 2019. The world over, Indigenous Peoples bear the brunt of these killings and other attacks. Agribusiness, oil, gas and mining industries were named as key drivers of the attacks.
“The Elisabeth Haub School of Law is proud that our top-ranked environmental law program trains lawyers to understand the intersection between human rights, the environment and the law,” said Haub Law Dean Horace Anderson. “We are honored this year to shine a light on those who have lost their lives defending their land and the environment.”
Increasingly, laws and policies are being adopted that are likely to make it harder for citizens to take a stand against destructive projects by increasing the associated risks. “To protect environmental defenders, we need to strengthen the environmental rule of law around the globe and break unsustainable consumption patterns that fuel violations of human rights,” said Katrina Kuh, Interim Associate Dean and Executive Director, Environmental Law Programs and Haub Distinguished Professor of Environmental Law. “We are indebted to environmental defenders and they deserve our recognition and support.”
“The Elisabeth Haub Award for Environmental Law and Diplomacy recognizes the innovation, skill, and accomplishments of lawyers, diplomats, international civil servants and other advocates who work to create the world environmental order,” said Liliane A. Haub, environmental advocate and Pace University Trustee. “It is our hope that by honoring environmental defenders with this Award, we are making a statement in support of those individuals and communities who are fighting and dying to create a more sustainable planet.”
The distinguished discussion panel for the 2019-2020 Elisabeth Haub Award for Environmental Law and Diplomacy comprised the following individuals, in order of appearance:
- Robert Chan, Executive Director, Palawan NGO Network, Inc. (PNNI), Philippines
- Carlos Alfonso Negret, former Ombudsman, Republic of Colombia
- Krystal Two Bulls, Northern Cheyenne/Oglala Lakota Director, LANDBACK Campaign, NDN Collective
- Julie Anne Miranda-Brobeck, Head of U.S. Communications & Global Partnerships, Global Witness.
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