Today it’s civil society day here at COP27. And today, thousands of people are still in jail for daring to speak out for human rights, democracy and environmental integrity. ECO has been reminding our dear readers that climate is a human rights issue, and that there is no climate justice without social justice.
Since COP has started, civil society observers have never felt so popular: innumerable local staff members have been taking pictures and videos of us, of our phone and laptop screens. Some observers have been randomly stopped at the entrance… they thought it was for an autograph but instead it was to get their bag checked!
And while this constant level of control is unacceptable for a UN meeting, they offer only a mild insight into the struggle our sisters and brothers go through every day, when basic rights like the freedom of speech, press and peaceful assembly are not upheld.
Last week, a huge march happened within the COP premises. There was high energy and solidarity, but ECO cannot help but regret that this happened within well protected walls, far from the streets where people are living first hand what it means to have their political and civil rights heavily limited.
On this Civil Society Day, do not let us be fooled by high proclamations and rights washing. Let us continue to demand climate justice, basic freedoms and a safe and free civic space. Let us continue to demand that human rights are included not only in negotiated decisions, but also in the daily reality of people across the world that have the right to speak freely and not have their life threatened because of that.
We are not yet defeated. #FreeAlaa #FreeThemAll