What foundational issue was established in the SERAC v. Nigeria case?

The SERAC v. Nigeria case is significant because it highlighted the connection between environmental degradation and human rights violations. In this landmark decision, the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights addressed the detrimental effects of oil extraction activities in Nigeria, particularly in the Niger Delta region. The case underscored how such environmental devastation had severe implications for the rights to health, a safe environment, and an adequate standard of living for the affected communities. The findings underlined that the Nigerian government had failed to fulfill its duty to protect its citizens from the harmful consequences of industrial activities, thus linking environmental safeguards directly to human rights obligations. This case set a precedent for recognizing environmental rights as integral to the enjoyment of human rights, establishing a foundational understanding that governments must consider ecological implications in their policies and practices.