The Due Process of Law Foundation (DPLF) is a nonprofit, nongovernmental organization based in Washington, DC, that works to strengthen the rule of law and promote respect for human rights in Latin America through applied research, strategic alliances, outreach, and advocacy. Our vision is a Latin America in which civil society, using national and international legal instruments, participates fully in consolidation of the rule of law, and in which judicial institutions are independent, transparent, accessible, and able to fulfill their role in strengthening democracy. For the past 16 years, DPLF has stood side by side with the human rights community in Latin America fighting for justice, and in particular, justice for the most vulnerable in society.
DPLF does not litigate cases and has not worked directly on the Chevron Ecuador case, but we recognize it as a landmark case in protecting the environment and life. DPLF’s position has always been to stand with the victims and those who have been denied redress for violations of their rights. Whereas DPLF has not taken a position on the merits of the Chevron case, we strongly believe that such redress should be sought and adjudicated by the competent national and international decision-making bodies and within a framework of due process, safeguarding the rights of both plaintiffs and defendant.
DPLF works with local and regional organizations, as well as with allies within national justice systems, to strengthen institutions and mechanisms set up to ensure justice in the region. Through research and advocacy carried out under our Human Rights and Extractive Industries Program, DPLF has addressed challenges to the rule of law brought on by the extraction of natural resources and its effect on some of the most vulnerable groups, such as indigenous peoples. Our work has focused on the right of indigenous peoples to prior and informed consultation and accountability for human rights violations committed by private corporations.
We invite you to take a look at our most recent institutional magazine AportesDPLF focused on business, human rights and extractive industries (in Spanish and in English ), in which many issues are addressed – including the Chevron case.
The DPLF Board of Directors and Staff