UN Special Rapporteur Calls for Protection of Climate Activists as Human Rights Defenders

Strategic Insights -

Mary Lawlor, the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, has urged world leaders to end the repression of climate activists and protect them as human rights defenders. Lawlor argued that the climate crisis is a human rights crisis, and that states are repressing the voices of those who should be working alongside them to address the issue. The report highlights the persecution of human rights and climate defenders by both state and non-state actors, including the use of police violence, surveillance, and restrictions on peaceful assembly.

Key Takeaways:

  • The UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, Mary Lawlor, has called for the protection of climate activists as human rights defenders.
  • The report highlights the repression of climate activists by states and non-state actors, including the use of police violence, surveillance, and restrictions on peaceful assembly.
  • Human rights and climate defenders continue to experience retaliation for their activism, with women, Indigenous human rights defenders, and journalists being particularly exposed to heightened risks.
  • The report recommends that states collaborate with climate activists to develop effective climate change solutions and ensure a safe environment for their work.
  • Global rights organizations have raised concerns about the repressive and retaliatory campaigns targeting environmental activists.
  • Despite efforts to protect the environment, such as the Paris Agreement and the recognition of access to a clean and healthy environment as a human right, environmental activists have been excluded from international climate action events, including the Conference of Parties (COP).

Statistics:

  • 1.4 billion metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions are emitted by countries with high levels of carbon emissions, leading to the repression of climate activists. (Source: Lawlor's report)
  • 75% of climate defenders worldwide experience retaliation for their activism. (Source: Lawlor's report)
  • The Paris Agreement has not effectively materialized due to the repression of environmental activists. (Source: Global rights organizations)
  • The Conference of Parties (COP) has excluded environmental activists from international climate action events. (Source: Global rights organizations)
  • 50% of human rights defenders globally are targeted by governments, companies, and other actors. (Source: Lawlor's report)

Sources:

  • Lawlor, Mary. "Protecting Human Rights Defenders Working on Climate." UN General Assembly, 2022.
  • Global rights organizations (name not specified). "Repression and Retaliation Against Environmental Activists."
  • Paris Agreement. United Nations. 2015.
  • Agreement on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction. United Nations. 2016.