Environmental activism under threat - Side event in UN during the Human Rights Council 56th Session

This side event highlighted the current state of environmental worldwide activism, focusing on global challenges and threats to climate justice and sustainability. The importance of engaging the younger generation in climate action and fostering international collaboration was emphasized.

It addressed the arrests of journalists and environmental activists, underscoring the impact on freedom of expression and the systematic repression of dissent. The event also discussed the influence of several COPs, notably COP27 in Egypt, on freedom of expression and association.

In connection with COP29, we explored how repression impacts civic activism and the ability of activists to advocate for effective climate action, along with the implementation of the COP29 Campaign. The Climate Observers Partnership, a coalition of civil society organizations, is dedicated to promoting respect for human rights and inclusive climate action in Azerbaijan.

Michel Forst shared his extensive experience in human rights and environmental advocacy, having held various roles within the international community. He emphasized the importance of the safe participation of environmental activists in COPs, highlighting the need to demonstrate global unity. He aims to promote both unity and the safe participation of defenders, emphasizing that we are all part of one community.

He pointed out that “The safe participation of environmental activist of COPs is a very important topic, that is something I try to promote throughout my mandate”.

He highlighted that Azerbaijan is a member of the Aarhus Convention and reminded that Azerbaijan has to respect all the obligations under the Aarhus Convention. He referred to the Article 3.8 of the Aarhus Convention, which provides for the protection of environmental defenders.

“There is a formal obligation of Azerbaijan, as well as all other parties to the Aarhus Convention , to promote safe participation of environmental defenders at the COP meetings”.

Marie-Claire Graf underlined the importance of intergenerational and international collaboration and innovative solutions to tackle the urgent challenges posed by climate change. She stressed the importance of engaging youth in the lead-up to COPs through participation, diversity, support, community building, and ensuring that the voices of human rights defenders are heard.

“It is not an exception that young people are sitting at decision-making tables”.

Mohamed Lotfy addressed the audience on the importance of COPs in repressive states and how COP27 changed the vision of egyptian civil society by promoting freedom of expression and association, despite severe government repression, with a lot of demonstrators still detained due to local climate protests.He stressed that “Anyone engaging in a form of activism is immediately suspected of being a terrorist by the police”.

Emin Huseynov highlighted that there are currently 300 political prisoners in Azerbaijan, including 30 journalists. He noted that the crackdown intensified during a peaceful environmental protest on June 20, 2023, in Söyüdlü, Gadabay, against the planned expansion of a local gold mine. The Azerbaijani authorities responded by blocking access to Söyüdlü for several weeks, preventing opposition media from entering the area. He expressed that COP29 should be a chance for civil society to take meaningful actions and address issues like the gold mine situation. 

“Azerbaijan started to destroy all potential independent voices”.

Full Video Available At: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YyWwDE9Qs98