October, 08 2021, 10:22am EDT
![Center for International Environmental Law](https://assets.rbl.ms/32012627/origin.jpg)
Historic Recognition of a New Human Right and Response to Climate Harm
In a long-awaited decision, the UN Human Rights Council proceeds to recognize the universal right to a safe, clean, healthy, and sustainable environment and decides the creation of a Special Rapporteur on human rights and climate change
GENEVA
From the opening remarks of High Commissioner Michelle Bachelet focusing on the right to a healthy environment to reports on the triple threat of climate change, biodiversity loss, and global food insecurity, the 48th session of the Human Rights Council ended recognizing that the right to a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment is essential for the fulfillment of other human rights. This recognition was coupled with the creation of a Special Rapporteur on human rights and climate change, signaling a new era in rights-based climate policy.
Sebastien Duyck, Senior Attorney at the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) and Campaign Manager for the Human Rights and Climate Change portfolio commented on the importance of universally recognize the right to a safe, clean, healthy, and sustainable environment:
"Today's historic decision is the culmination of over forty years of efforts to recognize the right to a safe, clean, healthy, and sustainable environment. Even though the vast majority of the world recognizes this right, until this afternoon, universal recognition remained elusive. Now, thanks to the leadership of a core group of countries including Costa Rica, the Maldives, Morocco, Slovenia, and Switzerland, the right is recognized at the United Nations.
"This new recognition will serve as a catalyst for institutions and other stakeholders to take steps that better respect, protect, and fulfill the right. It includes, but is not limited to the mobilizing resources and political will. Today's decision should serve as a wake-up call to all governments, demanding that they prioritize protecting environmental human rights defenders and those most vulnerable to climate harms. Now that the UN has finally taken this outdue step, we must all -- whether working for governments, businesses or civil society -- make it a priority to prevent any further violation of this right for present and future generations."
In response, Francesca Migrone, Attorney at CIEL commented on the significance of establishing a new Special Rapporteur:
"After over a decade of demands from civil society and Indigenous Peoples organizations, the UN Human Rights Council has now established a Special Rapporteur on human rights and climate change. While the path has been long and fraught with obstacles and uncertainties, we are thrilled to see that the resolution is supported by a substantial number of Member States, representing every region of the world. A dedicated Special Rapporteur will be the focal point for questions related to climate change and human rights, looking into issues in the context of human rights-based climate action and international cooperation that have not been given enough attention so far. The new expert would also help frontline communities' demands to be better reflected in relevant international fora and would provide critical advice to states vulnerable to climate change. This decision signals that the Council understands the need to respond to the fact that climate change is the single greatest threat to the enjoyment of human rights in the 21st century.
"Thanks to the advocacy of Small Islands States and the Climate Vulnerable Forum over the past two years, the Council will now be in a better position to address this crisis with the urgency required. We look forward to engaging with the new Special Rapporteur to support the demands of groups and communities on the frontlines of climate change in the coming years, in close cooperation with other Special Rapporteur and relevant institutions. We are confident that the new expert will promote policies contributing to more equitable, ambitious, and human-rights-based climate action."
Since 1989, the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) has worked to strengthen and use international law and institutions to protect the environment, promote human health, and ensure a just and sustainable society.
LATEST NEWS
BREAKING: Biden to 'Stand Down'; Endorses Kamala Harris
' I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year'
Jul 21, 2024
Breaking News...more to come
UPDATE : In response to President Biden’s announcement that he is no longer seeking reelection, MoveOn Political Action Executive Director Rahna Epting released the following statement:
“President Joe Biden‘s legacy is defined by defeating Donald Trump, restoring our nation’s commitment to our democracy, and delivering one of the most impressive domestic policy agendas in modern history. Just like he did in 2020, President Biden is making a tremendous personal sacrifice to preserve our democracy, putting the interest of the American people first, and he has the gratitude of our nation and our millions of members.
“Vice President Harris is tested and respected, and her voice is critically important at this moment. MoveOn and our members have her back and believe that those who share our commitment to winning this election and protecting our futures will do everything in their power to lift her up and stop Trump in his tracks.
MoveOn is more driven than ever to unifying the anti-Trump coalition and defeating Donald Trump and extremist MAGA Republicans once again in 2024. We are all in on electing Kamala Harris and Democrats to the U.S. House and Senate and we look forward to engaging our members and surge voters across the country to rise up and make their voices heard this fall.”
President Joe Biden has made the decision to not run for president. Read his just released statement below.
Keep ReadingShow Less
Israeli Military Strikes Claim Lives of 64 Individuals in a Single Day
'When is enough? When will the war ever end?'
Jul 21, 2024
The local Health Ministry says at least 64 people were killed and 105 injured in Israeli attacks across Gaza in the past 24 hours. Many victims are still under the rubble and on roads, with civil defense crews not able to reach them, it adds.
The Israeli military has launched numerous deadly strikes focused on the Al-Nuseirat refugee camp, including the targeting of multiple UN-run schools housing displaced people.
Nuseirat residents described living in constant fear of being bombed and a deteriorating humanitarian situation.
“The situation is scary,” said Rahma Abu Hajjaj, a 39-year-old mother of five from Nuserirat. “There are no warnings, there are no alarms when homes are bombed, we are hiding all the time and we do not know why they are targeting these homes.”
"We hear the sounds of explosions in Nuseirat and we see the smoke rising from here in Deir Al-Balah, the last refuge you can say and we are being terrorized by the feeling tanks may roll here," Tamer Aburakan, a resident of Gaza City, told
Reuters.
"Where should we go next? The entire Gaza Strip is under fire, and we are being hunted like deer in a forest. When is enough? When will the war ever end?" he said via a chat app.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is due to travel to the US on Monday. Netanyahu is expected to meet with US President Joe Biden on Tuesday afternoon. The next day, he is due to address a joint session of US Congress.
Thousands of people are expected to protest against the visit of Netanyahu for whom the top prosecutor of the International Criminal Court is seeking an arrest warrant for war crimes.
At least 38,983 Palestinians have been killed and 89,727 others injured in Israel's military offensive on Gaza since Oct. 7, Gaza's health ministry said on Sunday, including the 64 people killed in the last 24 hours.
Keep ReadingShow Less
Israel Bombs Yemen Saturday in Escalation with Houthis
The attack came a day after the Houthis claimed responsibility for a drone attack on Tel Aviv
Jul 20, 2024
Houthi-run media say Israeli air strikes Saturday targeted oil storage facilities in the Yemeni port city of Hodeidah and that there are an unspecified number of fatalities and injuries.
The attack came a day after the Houthis claimed responsibility for a drone attack on Tel Aviv that killed one person and struck just yards from a U.S. Embassy branch office.
Israel’s air strikes will not stop the Houthi's military operations in support of the Palestinian people, Houthi political bureau member Mohammed al-Bukhaiti said in a post on X, warning they will instead increase until the war in Gaza ends. “The Zionist entity will pay the price for targeting civilian facilities, and we will meet escalation with escalation,” al-Bukhaiti wrote.
Military and political analyst Elijah Magnier told Al Jazeera, “Is this going to change the course of action of a non-state actor that is motivated to support the people of Gaza? Certainly not,” Magnier said. “They’ve been given a perfect reason to increase the attacks. We have not seen the end of it – far from it,” he said.
In another post on X, the Houthis’ spokesman, Mohammed Abdulsalam, called the Israeli air strikes “a brutal Israeli aggression against Yemen that aims to deepen people’s suffering and to pressure Yemen to stop supporting Gaza.” Abdulsalam called the attack an Israeli “dream that will not come true. We affirm that this brutal aggression will only increase the determination of the Yemeni people and their valiant armed forces to be steadfast and to continue their support for Gaza. The Yemeni people are able to face all challenges for the sake of victory for oppressed Palestine and the people of Gaza, whose cause is the most just on earth.”
Keep ReadingShow Less
Most Popular