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Protect the defenders of the planet, UN rights chief urges |


“Protecting the environment goes hand in hand with protecting the rights of those who protect the environment” she told UN Dong Nhan Quyen Association in Geneva, where the annual one-month session is being held.

Danger of speaking out

Ms. Bachelet revealed how speaking up and defending environmental rights can be costly when activists have been killed or subjected to abuse, intimidation and harassment.

“Particularly at risk are those who speak out against deforestation, aliens, loss of identity or cultural heritage, or large-scale agribusiness and development projects – including those aimed at produce clean energy, such as large dams,” she speaks.

Many environmental human rights defenders are also indigenous, or members of local communities or minority groups – or those who represent them.


Berta Caceres, an environmental activist from Honduras, was assassinated in March 2016. She was recognized as a United Nations Earth Champion for her tireless campaign for indigenous rights. .

© UNEP

Berta Caceres, an environmental activist from Honduras, was assassinated in March 2016. She was recognized as a United Nations Earth Champion for her tireless campaign for indigenous rights. .

Liability Guarantee

She said entire communities can face threats and intimidation when someone speaks out on their behalf.

Ms. Bachelet stressed that States have an obligation to respect and protect the rights of environmental defenders and the communities they represent. Authorities must also prevent and ensure accountability for attacks.

These actions are in line with a Council resolution passed last year. uphold the right to a healthy environmentshe speaks.

Regulatory duty

“In addition, it is important that States regulate businesses effectively and hold them accountable for human rights abuses, while corporations also have similar obligations,” she said. as stated in UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.

Bachelet advises that before undertaking any climate project, both governments and businesses must undertake a human rights risk assessment.

“If the rights of indigenous peoples are at risk of being negatively affected by such projects, it is important to obtain their free, prior and informed consent,” she said.

In addition, the rights to information, participation and justice are protected under international human rights law and are further enshrined in environmental agreements.

When these rights are upheld, “both the earth and its defenders are better protected,” Ms. Bachelet said.


Women of the association

© UNICEF / Patricia Willocq

Women of the association “Amigos de lago”, fighting for the rights of Lake Atítlan, participate in a reed-weaving workshop in Guatemala.

UN support around the world

The UN rights chief also reports on some of the global work of her staff.

“Worldwide, my Office is committed to supporting States, businesses and environmental human rights defenders in all their efforts to protect our planet,” she said. .

For example, more than 200 human rights defenders in the Pacific region have been trained to help promote sustainable development, business and human rights in the context of climate change.

In Southeast Asia, OHCHR is tracking the harassment, arrest, murder and disappearance cases of environmental human rights defenders, and works with governments towards ending sanctions against environmentalists. work.

Meanwhile, staff in Mexico and Kenya are supporting human rights defenders of the environment and their networks.



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