GANHRI President Calls for Boosting Climate Action in Line with Human Rights

Doha, November 02 (QNA) - HE Chairperson of the National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) and President of the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) Maryam bint Abdullah Al Attiyah announced the launch of an open-letter to the states parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Paris Agreement, calling on them to promote climate action, in line with their human rights commitments as part of the search for new ways to voice concern ahead of the 27th Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC (COP 27). This came during a virtual seminar organized by the GANHRI, in cooperation with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the UN Development Program in the framework of the tripartite partnership, under the title "protecting environmental human rights defenders and promoting meaningful participation in climate talks - the role of national human rights institutions" with the participation of representatives of organizations, partners and national human rights institutions from all over the world, calling for the need to join efforts to work to maximize the reach of the message. Over the recent years, the UN human rights system has increasingly focused its attention on issues related to climate change, and the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment, Al Attiyah said. Her Excellency highlighted the creation of new mandates, such as those of distinguished speakers and friends, the first Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights in the context of climate change Ian Fry, and World’s first Special Rapporteur on environmental defenders elected under the Aarhus Convention, Michel Forst, only a few weeks since the UN Human Rights Council recognized the role of national human rights institutions in relation to climate action in its resolution 51/31 adopted at its 51st regular session, which recently concluded its work. During her speech at the opening of the seminar, Al Attiyah added that the national human rights institutions have, for many years now, played a key role in dealing with climate change and protecting environmental human rights defenders in their usual work, noting that the seminar will address some of the expertise of national institutions and its mechanisms. Her Excellency highlighted the national institutions' important role in addressing this urgent threat, including advising countries on climate action that put human rights at the heart of their directions, cooperating with the most vulnerable groups and individuals due to climate change, and monitoring and reporting the effects of climate change on human rights and engaging in climate justice and holding duty-bearers accountable. Al Attiyah noted that in 2020, during the annual conference on human rights and climate change, all NHRIs from different regions adopted an outcome statement, in which they identified a distinct set of actions and priorities for how to implement their unique mandates and functions to promote an informed and participatory human rights mechanism to address climate change and establish climate justice. Her Excellency said that the Global Alliance - as a global network of national human rights institutions - works closely with regional networks of national human rights institutions, partners in the UN and civil society, and also supports the participation of national human rights institutions in national, regional and international processes to promote a human rights-based approach to change climate, which will lead to more sustainable and effective climate action and policies. As part of efforts to enhance visibility and participation in climate talks, a recent application was made to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change for observer status, so that members can bring their human rights expertise into climate change discussions and decision-making, Her Excellency said. With the support of the UN Environment Program, the (GANHRI) has developed practical guidance for national human rights institutions, and provided guidance to its members on UN system-wide engagement on climate change and human rights, Her Excellency added. During its sessions, the seminar discussed the issue of "protecting environmental human rights defenders and the role of national human rights institutions in promoting a human rights-based approach to action directed to combat climate change", and the topic of "significant participation of national human rights institutions and civil society in international and national forums and platforms concerned with climate talks." The speakers stressed that, by working under the umbrella of the Global Alliance, NHRIs from around the world succeeded in establishing the NHRIs Cluster on Climate Change, which is hosted by the Global Alliance as a unique gathering that provides 34 NHRIs from all four regions an opportunity for discussion, debate, dialogue and exchange of knowledge and experience, as well as coordination of actions and activities. (QNA)