UN Special Rapporteur Calls for Greater Political Will to Defend Human Rights Defenders

Strategic Insights -

Mary Lawlor, UN Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights Defenders, has emphasized the need for governments to exercise greater political will to protect those who defend human rights, particularly in the face of the climate crisis. Her report, Tipping Points: Human Rights Defenders, Climate Change and a Just Transition, highlights the increasing attacks on human rights defenders working on climate and a just transition. Despite significant progress, these defenders receive little to no protection from states.

Key Takeaways:

  • Between 2015 and 2024, there were 6,400 documented attacks on human rights defenders, with three out of four targeting climate, land, and environmental defenders.
  • States and companies use laws, force, and SLAPPs (strategic lawsuits against public participation) to obstruct environmental defenders.
  • In Uganda, at least 129 people were arrested for protesting the East African Crude Oil Pipeline operated by Total Energies.
  • The European Union continues to parade itself as a strong defender of human rights defenders, but there is a "shocking lack of implementation" by its member states.
  • In France, climate organizations have been dissolved baselessly and accused of eco-terrorism.

Statistics:

  • 6,400 documented attacks on human rights defenders between 2015 and 2024.
  • 3 out of 4 attacks targeted climate, land, and environmental defenders.
  • 129 people arrested in Uganda for protesting the East African Crude Oil Pipeline.
  • $660 million damages ruling against Greenpeace in the Dakota Access Pipeline protests.
  • 1 year of imprisonment for Stephen Gingell, sentenced for joining a 30-minute Just Stop Oil march in London.
  • 6 months of imprisonment for Stephen Gingell was served in December 2023.

Sources:

  • Human Rights First.
  • Mary Lawlor Address to the UN General Assembly.
  • Tipping Points: Human Rights Defenders, Climate Change and a Just Transition.
  • EU Guidelines for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders.
  • Public Order Act (UK).
  • Roger N. Baldwin Medal of Liberty Award.
  • Blog Author: Suchita Uppal.