Constitutional Court (Colombia), 16 April 2024, Case T-123

Balancing continuity and specificity: The Colombian Constitutional Court recognized displacements due to environmental factors as a form of forced displacements requiring specific protection

Abstract

In this landmark decision, the Colombian Constitutional Court recognized that displacement due to environmental factors constitutes a form of forced displacement. As a result, such displacements impose specific obligations on the State. In Colombia, the legal framework for individuals displaced by armed conflict grants certain benefits to these victims. In this context and considering the specific aspects of displacement due to environmental factors, particularly its multi-causal nature, the Court urged the Colombian Congress to adopt a comprehensive public policy to address this type of displacement.