After an eight-month dry season, the riverbed of Tsanaga River lies dry at the outskirts of the city of Maroua, Cameroon. Photo: LWF/Albin Hillert
Protecting the safety and security of minorities
(LWI) - At the 49th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC), the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) and its interfaith partners welcomed the appointment of the first UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights in the context of climate change.
The statement emphasized how this is the result of more than a decade’s worth of collaboration between the HRC and civil society, interfaith organizations, and Indigenous women’s groups.
The LWF and the GIF expressed their hope that the Rapporteur would develop systematic and inclusive ways to work with all civil society stakeholders including faith-based and women’s rights’ organizations. The name of the person appointed as Special Rapporteur will be made public known at the end of the 49th session.
Statement of the Lutheran World Federation
On behalf of the Geneva Interfaith Forum on Climate Change, Environment and Human Rights (GIF), we welcome the appointment of the first UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights in the context of climate change following the adoption of the Council Resolution 48/14 in September last year.
This is a result of joint efforts between members of this Council and hundreds of civil society stakeholders, including faith-based, women’s and indigenous peoples organizations, which more than a decade ago have called the Council to take concrete actions to address the impacts of climate change on human rights.
As civil society and faith-based organizations, we extend our support to the Special Rapporteur in fulfilling the mandate. We encourage and expect the Rapporteur to develop systematic and inclusive ways of working with all civil society stakeholders, including faith-based and women’s rights’ organizations.
We also call upon the Special Rapporteur to promote better participation of civil society actors in national processes. The voices of those whose human rights are already affected by climate change, many who are part of our faith communities, are critical stakeholders for fulfilling the Special Rapporteur mandate.
We thank you.
The Geneva Interfaith Forum on Climate Change, Environment and Human Rights (GIF) is composed of the following faith-based NGOs: World Council Churches, Lutheran World Federation, Franciscans International, Dominicans for Justice and Peace, Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University, Soka Gakkai International, and ACT Alliance.
