IACHR to investigate environmental rights violations in Córdoba

The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) has admitted a case involving industrial pollution in Córdoba, Argentina, marking the first time an industrial contamination case in the country has reached this stage of the Inter-American Human Rights System.

The investigation will examine the international responsibility of the Argentine state regarding alleged violations of fundamental rights, including the right to a healthy environment, health, and effective judicial protection. The complaint was filed by the group Vecinas Unidas en Defensa de un Ambiente Sano (VUDAS) with support from Fundeps.

The conflict stems from 2012, when the Porta Hermanos bioethanol plant expanded operations without the legally required environmental impact assessment. Residents of the San Antonio neighborhood have reported severe health issues, including respiratory difficulties, skin problems, digestive ailments, and more serious conditions such as cancer and malformations. Additionally, neighbors have expressed concerns regarding the risk of explosions and fires due to the plant's proximity to residential homes.