Killed for speaking out: UN raises concerns over attacks on environmental defenders

The application is in words at the first-ever European Forum on Environmental Human Rights Defenders held in Strasbourg, France, where he warned that the continent was warming twice as fast as the global average, with increasing floods, shrinking glaciers and heat waves.

“Extreme weather kills thousands of Europeans every summer,” he said. “Across the continent, 95 percent of urban residents breathe unsafe air, and more than 80 percent of habitats are in poor or poor condition..”

Activists threatened

Mr Türk praised environmental defenders who dare to speak up, mobilize and take concrete action to protect the planet, communities and democracy.

“The environmental justice movement is a powerful human rights alliance bringing together science, law, ethics, philosophy and art – an alliance that cannot be defeated in fair competition,” he said.

“That is why some of his opponents took brutal and dishonest measures. They kill, kidnap, detain, and weaponize laws meant to protect people’s rights.”

Hundreds of people were killed, disappeared or detained

The High Commissioner said his Office, OHCHRhas recorded nearly 600 environmental and land defenders killed or missing worldwide over the past three years.

“In at least 55 countries, they are detained because of their activism,” he added.

He noted that although “many European countries are proud of their ambitious goals on climate and the environment,” new laws criminalizing peaceful protests are still in place.

“It is shocking that people defending our children’s future are being prosecuted under laws designed to combat terrorism and organized crimehe said.

“I urge all governments to ensure the safety of environmental defenders and accountability for all violations.”

He also called on authorities to respect the court’s decision and build a stronger regional protection system for environmental defenders.

‘Going low for the climate’

The UN human rights chief spoke in the evening World Environment Day.

The annual celebration on June 5 is led by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) which calls for action in the face of global warming and rising emissions as countries struggle to keep global temperature rise to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.

“We have to reduce it,” said UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen. “We have to make sure that if we go past 1.5, we bring it back down immediately. But we can do it. We have all the solutions.”

UNEP has been launched global limbo dance challengeencouraging people everywhere to “get humble about the climate.”

Brazilian DJ Alok has lent his club hit ‘Deep Down’ to campaigns and celebrities such as American actor Jason Momoa, UNEP Advocate for Life Below Watershow their support.

“Where I come from, movement has meaning. Movement carries stories, respect, connection,” says the Hawaiian-born star of the hit film Aquaman And Minecraft Moviesalong with the television series Warlords.

“So, for World Environment Day, the United Nations Environment Program is celebrating the movement and power of using our voices to create change.”