On December 16, Peru’s National Environmental Management Commission of the Judiciary officially received the Specialized Inductive Course on Environmental Matters for Judges as a result of a joint effort to strengthen the fight against environmental crimes in Peru. This ceremony took place at the Palace of Justice in Lima, with attendance by local and international judicial actors, including the US Embassy. Recorded on 100 USBs, the environmental course is a technological training tool that includes video classes, supplementary readings, and exams, among other materials; and seeks to strengthen the capacity of judges who preside over cases of environmental crimes.
Peruvian Judges Receive Environmental Training with Support from the US Government
The course was delivered to the National Environmental Management Commission of the Judiciary.
Jump to:
The course was developed with the support through the American Bar Association Rule of Law Initiative’s (ABA ROLI) Justice Sector Support Project 2 (JSSP-2), funded by the US Department of State Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL).
The course features legal professionals and experts in environmental law, both national and international.
Jessica Akpan, a program officer with INL of the US Embassy in Peru, presented the course during the ceremony. She reaffirmed the bilateral commitment of both nations to defend natural resources and strengthen the judicial system to combat environmental crime and protect Peru's biodiversity.
“Peru is a country blessed with biodiversity and stunning natural beauty in its three regions. Unfortunately, illegal logging, deforestation, pollution from illegal mining, and wildlife trafficking are threatening it. Legislation classifies these crimes as environmental crimes and they cross borders affecting our countries. We share the goal of preserving the environment, which is why the US government strongly supports these initiatives. We believe that the inductive course will be a valuable tool for judges who hear environmental cases,” said Akpan.
Raúl Callirgos, ABA ROLI’s Country Director for Peru, highlighted the importance of this course as a key and easily accessible training tool to strengthen the capacities of judges in the fight against environmental crimes throughout Peru.
“We have been careful to select international teachers whose countries share our problems with environmental crimes. This training tool has the necessary elements for learning and includes tests to measure progress. The idea is that each court has access to the course and the knowledge is shared,” he said.
Meanwhile, Dr. Maruja Hermoza, a senior judge and member of the National Environmental Management Commission of the Judiciary, reported that this course will be distributed to judges specializing in environmental matters in the Superior Courts of Justice throughout the country, ensuring effective implementation in cases of environmental crimes.
“We are satisfied with this tool made available by the US Embassy and ABA ROLI, which will be very useful for all our judges committed to protecting the environment. This course will allow them to train, develop and strengthen their knowledge of the doctrine of environmental law, and commit to continue striving for a better administration of justice,” he stressed.
The course not only represents a significant step forward in the fight against environmental crimes, but also an example of the positive impact that US international cooperation can achieve in protecting our planet.