The call from Paula Gaviria Betancur, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons, comes as the Pacific nation grapples with multi-generational displacement and the threat posed by rising sea levels and unprecedented global warming.
The Marshall Islands, a frontline nation in the fight to slow global warming, faces unique challenges.
As one of the small island developing countries (SIDS), it has played an important role in international climate action. Below Paris Agreement of 2015The Marshall Islands, along with other SIDS, has been a strong advocate for the introduction of a 1.5 degree Celsius temperature target.
The country also submitted one of its first Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCS) as agreed.
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) identifies the Marshall Islands as particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, with rising sea levels posing an existential threat.
Despite these challenges, the agreement on ‘Loss and damage financing’ at COP27, marks an important development for vulnerable countries like the Marshall Islands. The mechanism aims to provide financial support to countries most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.
Nuclear testing threatens the community
In addition to environmental challenges, research conducted by the United Nations human rights office, OHCHR, revealed that 67 nuclear tests conducted between 1946 and 1958 by the United States Government in the Marshall Islands displaced communities and contributed to the contamination of radioactive land and seas.
“The legacy of nuclear testing and military land requisition by a foreign power has displaced hundreds of Marshallese people for generations,” while the adverse impacts of climate change threaten to displace thousands more,” said Gaviria Betancur after a 10-day visit to the country.
United Nations Human Rights Council-the appointed expert, who does not receive a salary and does not represent any government or organization, applauds the efforts of Marshall Islanders to find remedies and solutions for displaced people and emphasizes strong that “The situation has largely gone beyond the country’s control”.
Indigenous rights
During her visit, Ms. Gaviria Betancur emphasized the profound impact of the displacement on the Marshallese community.
“Many Marshallese I spoke to recounted a profound sense of dislocation they felt as a result of being displaced from lands that were deeply tied to their sense of culture and identity,” she reports. as Indigenous people”.
She congratulated the Marshall Islands on its recent election to the Human Rights Council and its introduction of a resolution addressing the human rights implications of its nuclear legacy.
She also gave specific recommendations to the government, stating: “The government should adopt a comprehensive, rights-based policy on displacement, promote greater transparency in laws and policies related to displaced persons, and continue to work with traditional leaders”.
International responsibility
Referring to historical responsibility, the expert noted that the relocation occurred while the Marshall Islands were under the administration of the United States as a United Nations Strategic Trust Territory. She called on the United States to provide complete information on displacement and health risks to affected communities, ensure meaningful redress, and seek full consent from rights holders. tradition over the lands it currently occupies for military purposes.
“While existing compensation arrangements may have been put in place after independence, these agreements aim to codify displacement that takes place when displaced people cannot provide free, prior and informed consent consistent with the right to self-determination of Indigenous Peoples.” stated.
Ms. Gaviria Betancur called on the international community to support more climate change mitigation and adaptation measures of the Marshall Islands, highlighting the minimal contribution of these countries to global emissions.
