Effectiveness of legal mechanisms to protect the rights of black communities harmed by mining activities in the municipality of Río Quito-Chocó

Abstract

Colombia’s legal framework allows the development of mining activities in territories of black communities such as the municipality of Rio Quito located in the department of Choco. This article presents a descriptive investigation about the violation of the rights of the black communities by the mining activity in the municipality of Río Quito, which by constitutional mandate has various legal mechanisms that allow the protection of their rights as popular action, group action and tutelage action exceptionally. In 2008, the mining activity carried out illegally in Río Quito generated water pollution with toxic substances such as mercury, motor oil and lubricating oils, putting the existence of its inhabitants at high risk, thereby affecting health, life and the cultural environment.