UN Human Rights Day
10 December 2015
Sixty-seven years ago today, the international community convened in Paris to sign the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This historic document, and the treaties that grew out of it, set forth the minimum rights essential for a life of dignity for all people, including children, indigenous peoples, workers, the promotion of gender equality and the guarantee of food security around the world. The ministers and secretaries assembled here must fulfill this legacy. Let today be the day countries act to protect against the human rights impacts of climate change and climate responses.
Climate change is the human rights challenge of the 21st century. Integrating human rights into climate action helps protect the rights of those affected the most by its severe impacts. To date, a group of countries led by Mexico, Chile, Costa Rica, the Philippines and Peru is paving the way on these issues here. Civil society calls upon ministers to act now to protect those most vulnerable and least responsible for the effects of climate change.
How to secure the protection of rights in the agreement
1. Include cross-cutting references to human rights in the operative text of the agreement.
2. Spell out all elements of the solidarity package: rights of indigenous peoples, gender equality and the full and equal participation of women, intergenerational equity, a just transition of the workforce that creates decent work and quality jobs, ecosystem integrity and resilience, and food security.