Constructive meeting with @michelforst.bsky.social, Special Rapporteur on Environmental Defenders under the #AarhusConvention. #Environmentaldefenders must be provided with a safe & enabling environment to carry out their vital work on promoting & protecting human rights relating to the environment.
Ever wondered how the UN protects environmental defenders? ⚖️🌍
French journalist Elsa Souchay faced criminal charges just for reporting on a climate protest.
Read how the #AarhusConvention and the Special Rapporteur helped close her case here 👇
www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...
#BeLIFE
Guidelines on the Right to Peaceful Environmental Protest and Civil Disobedience - Now available in Russian
RUS 👉 shorturl.at/k48v0
FRA 👉 shorturl.at/0zfTp
ESP 👉 shorturl.at/jPNrB
ENG 👉 shorturl.at/9KJVb
#AarhusConvention #EnvironmentalDefenders #PeacefulProtest #CivilDisobedience
📸 Testimony from an environmental defender: Carlos Choc's experience with the mandate of UN Special Rapporteur on Environmental Defenders under the #AarhusConvention
🎬 Watch Carlos Choc's testimony:
🇪🇸 🇬🇧 www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2z_...
🇪🇸 🇫🇷 www.youtube.com/watch?v=72FP...
Guidelines on the Right to Peaceful Environmental Protest and Civil Disobedience - Available French&Spanish
🇫🇷 👉 shorturl.at/0zfTp
🇪🇸 👉 shorturl.at/jPNrB
🇬🇧 👉 shorturl.at/9KJVb
#AarhusConvention #EnvironmentalDefenders #PeacefulProtest #CivilDisobedience
🚨 🇳🇴 Concerning developments - Norway - Supreme Court judgments - right to peaceful environmental protest - prison sentences imposed on environmental defenders
👉 Read my full statement here: unece.org/sites/defaul...
#EnvironmentalDefenders #AarhusConvention #PeacefulProtest
2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣5️⃣ has been a wobbly year for our democracies...
But our right to participate in decisions about our environment is protected by the #AarhusConvention ⚖️
Our #BeLIFE Power to the People report examines how well this right is being upheld by our govs and institutions 👉 eeb.org/en/library/p...
Prof. Ryall said it was necessary to “take a lot of heat out” of current discussions.
Greater resourcing of public authorities and the judiciary so they could do their job in a more timely way would help, she said.
#AccessToJustice #AarhusConvention #JudicialReview
#Oversight
The Aarhus Convention #MOP8 negotiations just wrapped up in Geneva. The talks were arduous, but they succeeded in preserving its core mechanisms — a testament to just how vital and relevant the #AarhusConvention remains.
A thread 🧵👇
#BehindTheScenes
Lithuania, Chair of #AarhusMOP8, and the #AarhusConvention Secretariat pose for a photo.
After a review and adoption of the draft decisions, #MOP8Aarhus Chair Aurimas Saladžius and delegates applaud the #AarhusConvention Secretariat in thanks for the tireless work.
From enabling frameworks to protecting environmental defenders, the #GENeva Declaration highlights the #AarhusConvention & its Protocol as important tools for tackling the #TriplePlanetaryCrisis.
Consult the draft Declaration 📄 unece.org/sites/defaul...
"The #EscazúAgreement is inspired by #AarhusConvention but not a copy paste."
Sharing #Chile's experience in ratifying Escazú, Francisco José Carvajal Carvallo states implementing Escazu is not just recognizing social & environment matters, but a matter of justice & trust.
Opening the event, Marco Keiner of #UNECE highlights that the #AarhusConvention and #EscazuAgreement beyond just treaties, but "all about empowering people", as they are frameworks inclusive governance, env't democracy & public engagement, calling for collaboration beyond regions.
In closing, H.E. Amb. Anita Pipan highlights addressing #TriplePlanetaryCrisis requires early, continuous & genuine engagement with public, "where participation is not symbolic but meaningful", showing that #AarhusConvention principles are part and parcel of the right to #HealthyEnvironment.
Excellent overview on the havoc the UK tried to wreak at the Mtg of the Parties to the #AarhusConvention this week at the UN in Geneva - a serious low in respect of their international reputation IMPO
friendsoftheearth.uk/latest/uk-je...
#AccesstoJustice
#AarhusPRTRsMoPs, #MOP8Aarhus #PRTRMOPP5
After the country's accession to the #AarhusConvention, Welena da Silva of #GuineaBissau shares lessons learned from implementing Env't & Social Impact Assessments, where the principles of the Convention are aimed to be present in every stage, as they aim to accede to #PRTRs protocol.
With #COP30noBrasil also taking place, #UNECE ES Tatiana Molcean underscores the important role of #AarhusConvention & #PRTRs protocol in advancing #ClimateAction & tackling #TriplePlanetaryCrisis globally, as it depends on strong national systems that meaningfully engage people.
During the discussion, high-level panelists provides concrete examples and "the bigger picture" of what the #AarhusConvention and the #PRTRs protocol has contributed not only to the protection of the environment, but the advancement of environmental democracy.
In the discussion, H.E. Amb. Vladimir Cuc highlights #Moldova’s commitment to #AarhusConvention, noting that public input drives better environmental outcomes & lower long-term costs, sharing a case wherein a public consultation on a construction of a bridge has helped save a forest.
It's Day 4⃣ of the #AarhusPRTRsMoPs!
Delegates and observers gather for the Joint High-Level Segment which will focus on the role of the #AarhusConvention and its Protocol in advancing public rights to tackle the #TriplePlanetaryCrisis.
▶️ unece.org/environmenta...
Highlighting the important work Aarhus Centres do in implementing #AarhusConvention, from legal & judges trainings to ensuring community inclusion in national decision making, panelists share challenges they face, including lack of funding & need for recognition from authorities.
Marco Keiner of #UNECE underscores the important role Aarhus Centres play in turning the pillars of the #AarhusConvention into reality on the ground.
As challenges evolve, Centres are also called to adapt: embracing digital tools, addressing misinformation, & engaging youth.
In a vote on Day 3 of #AarhusPRTRsMoPs, Parties to #AarhusMoP8 have elected @michelforst.bsky.social to continue his mandate on his second term as Special Rapporteur on #EnvironmentalDefenders under the #AarhusConvention, to which he will continue to do his work "impartially and conscientiously."
@duycks.bsky.social of @ciel.org highlights that while Article 1 of the #AarhusConvention explicitly recognizes the right to a #HealthyEnvironment, Europe lacks a legally binding instrument. Noting that political recognition alone isn’t enough, clear legal protection & remedies are needed
UN @srenvironment.bsky.social Astrid Puentes Riaño noted that right to #HealthyEnvironment includes both substantive & procedural rights, already being advanced under #AarhusConvention.
As children & youth participate even more in env't civic spaces, it is important their rights are protected.
Polina Veretelnikova highlights situation of env't defenders in #Uzbekistan, the most recent party of #AarhusConvention, in agricultural & energy sectors, showing lack of public awareness on env't issues & silencing of environmental defenders who operate in "self-censorship mode".
A panelist from #Belarus shares the experience of environmental NGOs after the country has withdrawn from #AarhusConvention, including the liquidation of 110 NGOs and even the criminalization of some of them.
A representative from YEE, Olats, shares the situation of young environmental defenders in Europe: from experiences of repression, anxiety, burnout to legal uncertainty, underscoring the important role of #AarhusConvention Special Rapporteur on env't defenders in providing protection.
It's Day 3⃣ of #AarhusPRTRsMoPs!
As delegates return to plenary to advance the work, the meeting commences with the report of the UNECE #AarhusConvention Special Rapporteur Michel Forst on the protection of #EnvironmentalDefenders.
▶️ unece.org/info/Environ...
