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Legal framework
Know the rules that protect your rights
We gathered the main national and international rules behind NODO’s work, explained in plain language with links to the official source.
Why it matters
Knowing your rights is the first step to claiming them
Communities, organizations and institutions that know the legal framework participate better, protect themselves better and engage with the State as equals. That is why we explain it in plain language.
Milestones
A path of rights
1948
Universal Declaration of Human Rights
1991
New Constitution and ILO Convention 169
1993
Law 70 and National Environmental System
2011
Victims and Land Restitution Law
2016
Peace Agreement and rights of the Atrato River
2022
Escazú Agreement
Reference information for educational purposes; it is not legal advice. Always check the current version at the official source.
Human rights: constitutional and international framework
5 rules
1991 Political Constitution Social rule of law
Social rule of law; fundamental rights; ethnic and cultural diversity (art. 7); healthy environment (art. 79); human rights treaties with constitutional rank (art. 93).
Why it matters: It underpins all our work: it defines the rights we support and how to claim them, for example through the tutela action (art. 86).
Universal Declaration of Human Rights The first universal instrument recognizing equal and inalienable rights for every person
The first universal instrument recognizing equal and inalienable rights for every person.
Why it matters: It guides our training processes and the rights-based approach in every project.
Law 74 of 1968 Approves the International Covenants on Civil and Political Rights and on Economic,…
Approves the International Covenants on Civil and Political Rights and on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.
Why it matters: It brings obligations on freedoms, participation, work, health and education into Colombian law.
Law 16 of 1972 Approves the American Convention on Human Rights (Pact of San José)
Approves the American Convention on Human Rights (Pact of San José).
Why it matters: It opens access to the Inter-American System when national mechanisms fail to protect rights.
UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders Recognizes the right of individuals and organizations to promote and protect human rights
Recognizes the right of individuals and organizations to promote and protect human rights.
Why it matters: It backs the social leaders and organizations we support through protection pathways.
IHL, peace and victims
5 rules
Laws 5 of 1960 and 171 of 1994 Approve the 1949 Geneva Conventions and their Protocol II on non-international armed…
Approve the 1949 Geneva Conventions and their Protocol II on non-international armed conflicts.
Why it matters: They ground our IHL approach and the protection of civilians in conflict-affected areas.
Law 418 of 1997 Tools for coexistence and peace
Tools for coexistence and peace. It has been extended and amended, among others, by Law 2272 of 2022.
Why it matters: It frames peace policies and the protection of civilians.
Law 1448 of 2011 Victims and Land Restitution Law
Victims and Land Restitution Law: care, assistance and comprehensive reparation. Law 2078 of 2021 extended it until 2031.
Why it matters: It guides our support to victims and coordination with the care and reparation system.
Legislative Act 02 of 2017 Gives legal stability to the 2016 Final Agreement to End the Conflict and Build a…
Gives legal stability to the 2016 Final Agreement to End the Conflict and Build a Stable and Lasting Peace.
Why it matters: The Agreement’s commitments, such as comprehensive rural reform and political participation, shape our territorial work.
Decree 660 of 2018 Regulates the Comprehensive Security and Protection Program for Communities and…
Regulates the Comprehensive Security and Protection Program for Communities and Organizations in the Territories.
Why it matters: It underpins the self-protection and collective protection pathways we design with communities.
Gender, differential and intersectional approach
5 rules
Law 51 of 1981 Approves the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against…
Approves the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW).
Why it matters: It requires ending discrimination against women in every area of life.
Law 1257 of 2008 Rules for awareness, prevention and punishment of violence and discrimination against…
Rules for awareness, prevention and punishment of violence and discrimination against women.
Why it matters: It guides the gender approach and our response to violence in every process we support.
Law 1482 of 2011 Punishes discrimination based on race, ethnicity, religion, nationality, ideology, sex…
Punishes discrimination based on race, ethnicity, religion, nationality, ideology, sex or sexual orientation. Law 1752 of 2015 added disability.
Why it matters: It supports our non-discrimination and safeguarding policy.
Law 1618 of 2013 Guarantees the full exercise of the rights of persons with disabilities
Guarantees the full exercise of the rights of persons with disabilities.
Why it matters: It requires us to design accessible processes and materials.
Law 1098 of 2006 Childhood and Adolescence Code
Childhood and Adolescence Code: comprehensive protection of children and adolescents.
Why it matters: It defines how we work with minors: best interests, consent and protection.
Ethnic peoples
3 rules
Law 21 of 1991 Approves ILO Convention 169 on Indigenous and Tribal Peoples
Approves ILO Convention 169 on Indigenous and Tribal Peoples.
Why it matters: It recognizes prior consultation and peoples’ right to set their own development priorities.
Law 70 of 1993 Recognizes collective land ownership and the rights of Black communities
Recognizes collective land ownership and the rights of Black communities.
Why it matters: It guides our work with community councils and the protection of their cultural identity.
Decree-Laws 4633 and 4635 of 2011 Care, comprehensive reparation and land restitution for victims from Indigenous…
Care, comprehensive reparation and land restitution for victims from Indigenous peoples (4633) and Black, Afro-Colombian, Raizal and Palenquero communities (4635).
Why it matters: They ensure that reparation respects each people’s culture and territory.
Environment and territory
4 rules
Law 99 of 1993 Creates the Ministry of Environment and organizes the National Environmental System…
Creates the Ministry of Environment and organizes the National Environmental System (SINA), including regional autonomous corporations.
Why it matters: It sets out the environmental institutions we coordinate with on socio-environmental projects.
Law 1931 of 2018 Sets guidelines for climate change management
Sets guidelines for climate change management.
Why it matters: It frames adaptation and mitigation initiatives in the territories.
Law 2273 of 2022 · Escazú Agreement Guarantees access to information, public participation and justice in environmental…
Guarantees access to information, public participation and justice in environmental matters, and protects environmental defenders. The Constitutional Court upheld it.
Why it matters: It supports communities’ participation in decisions that affect their environment.
Ruling T-622 of 2016 The Constitutional Court recognized the Atrato River as a subject of rights
The Constitutional Court recognized the Atrato River as a subject of rights.
Why it matters: It is a reference point for the ecocentric and biocentric approach we apply.
Participation, governance and transparency
5 rules
Law 134 of 1994 Regulates citizen participation mechanisms such as popular consultation and open town…
Regulates citizen participation mechanisms such as popular consultation and open town meetings.
Why it matters: Tools we strengthen in our leadership schools.
Law 1757 of 2015 Promotion and protection of the right to democratic participation
Promotion and protection of the right to democratic participation.
Why it matters: It supports community and organizational advocacy in public decisions.
Law 1712 of 2014 Transparency and the right of access to public information
Transparency and the right of access to public information.
Why it matters: It lets communities request information from public bodies and guides our own accountability.
Law 2294 of 2023 National Development Plan 2022–2026, in force until the next plan is issued
National Development Plan 2022–2026, in force until the next plan is issued.
Why it matters: It sets national priorities we align projects and funding calls with.
2030 Agenda · Sustainable Development Goals 17 goals adopted by the United Nations to end poverty, protect the planet and secure peace
17 goals adopted by the United Nations to end poverty, protect the planet and secure peace.
Why it matters: We contribute especially to SDGs 5 (gender equality), 13 (climate action) and 16 (peace, justice and strong institutions).
Non-profit organizations
5 rules
Decree 2150 of 1995 (art. 40) Non-profits obtain legal personality by registering with the chamber of commerce
Non-profits obtain legal personality by registering with the chamber of commerce.
Why it matters: It is the basis of our legal existence as a corporation.
Tax Code and Decree 2150 of 2017 Special Tax Regime for non-profits
Special Tax Regime for non-profits: requirements, use of surplus and online disclosure.
Why it matters: It explains why we publish our information in the Transparency section.
Decree 092 of 2017 Regulates contracts between public bodies and reputable private non-profits (art
Regulates contracts between public bodies and reputable private non-profits (art. 355 of the Constitution).
Why it matters: It frames the agreements we can sign with public bodies.
Law 489 of 1998 (art. 96) Allows public bodies to sign partnership agreements with private parties to fulfil…
Allows public bodies to sign partnership agreements with private parties to fulfil their functions.
Why it matters: It is the route for partnership agreements with municipal and departmental governments.
Law 1581 of 2012 Personal data protection (habeas data)
Personal data protection (habeas data).
Why it matters: It governs how we handle the data of people who take part in our processes.
Need to apply this framework in your territory?
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