On June 27th the presentation by the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights in the context of climate change, Ian Fry, included Fr. René Flores, OFM, member of the Franciscan Network for Migrants’ Advocacy Committee, through our partnership with Franciscans International.
For the Rapporteur, many people, especially women and children, are vulnerable to the effects of the climate crisis. One of the examples offered was the displacement of people from Guatemala and Honduras due to hurricanes Iota and Eta in November 2020. Therefore, climate change involves the displacement of people across international borders, who then face human rights violations along the way. The report offers mitigation measures such as reducing the use of fossil fuels and banning new fossil fuel extraction projects.
At the end of the day, various regional blocs and diplomatic representations took part in the interactive dialogue. This was resumed on the morning of June 28 with participation of additional countries and some civil society organizations.
In his speech, Fr. René thanked the Rapporteur for “making human mobility visible as one of the most urgent issues related to climate change.” At the same time, he assured that respect for the human rights of displaced persons or those at risk of being displaced is an obligation of the States, as well as the responsibility to protect them.
Fr Rene observed “that in the Americas there are risks of multiple human rights violations due to the lack of policies to address the impacts of climate change and the lack of adequate protection mechanisms.” Similarly, the effects of climate change mean that people and communities that are already marginalized have to flee to save their lives.
Finally, he urged all states to guarantee the rights of people in human mobility, the application of international protection mechanisms such as the Cartagena Declaration, and to consolidate other protection mechanisms.
All of the above took place in the context of the United Nations Human Rights Council, which is holding its 53rd regular session from June 19 to July 14, 2023 at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.