Victory for Virunga National Park

ELAW partner Olivier Ndoole at Congolese Alert for Environment and Human Rights (ACEDH) in the Democratic Republic of Congo shares good news:

The Goma Courthouse issued a landmark decision this week advancing ACEDH’s case seeking protective measures for Virunga National Park, including stronger actions to counter encroachment and preserve biodiversity.

“This is an important and historic decision in litigation between a civil society organization and the State, for climate inaction and protecting biodiversity,” says Olivier. “ELAW experts will continue to provide strong technical support as the case moves forward.”

The court ruled that ACEDH has the right to hold the government legally accountable for environmental damages in Virunga National Park. The ruling “marked a significant turning point for environmental law in the DRC,” reports Kilalo Press:

“The Republic had argued that ACEDH lacked standing to litigate concerning a national park, citing procedural and technical exceptions. However, the court not only dismissed these arguments but also approved ACEDH’s request for an expert from the Congolese Institute for Nature Conservation (ICCN) to assess the park’s current state since 2000. Furthermore, it allowed on-site inspections, a crucial step in directly evaluating the extent of park damage and encroachment.”

Olivier has worked for years to protect Virunga National Park, one of the last remaining habitats for the rare mountain gorilla. The park was named a UN World Heritage Site because of its rich diversity of habitats, exceptional biodiversity, and species found nowhere else in the world. In 1994, the park was listed as a UN World Heritage Site “in Danger.”

Olivier says illegal logging and mining, wildlife trafficking, and invasion of park lands by armed militia pose serious threats. He says oil ambitions of multinational corporations and the government add to the challenges.

“Over the years, ELAW has provided ACEDH with valuable legal and scientific support, and also helped us defend against attacks against ourselves and our office,” says Olivier, who won a 2024 Global Citizen Prize and 2023 Human Rights Defender at Risk Award from Front Line Defenders.

For more information see:

North Kivu : Victory for the Environment, Goma Court Upholds ACEDH’s Climate Action Rights

Maggie Keenan
Communications Director
Environmental Law Alliance Worldwide