Human Rights and Climate Change:

Unless states take prompt, adequate action to address its effects, climate change could become a major threat to the realization of human rights, with those already living in poverty feeling the effects sooner and more acutely.

As global attention turns to the upcoming round of climate change negotiations in Copenhagen in December, it is more essential than ever to bring human rights to the table.

Observed and projected changes attributable to climate change include the contraction of snow-covered areas; shrinking of sea ice and melting of polar ice caps; rise of sea levels; increased frequency of hot extremes and heat waves; increase in areas affected by drought; and increased intensity of tropical cyclones.

There is an intrinsic link between such environmental impacts and the ability to realize a range of human rights. State failure to act effectively to curb climate change could result in widespread violations of the right to life, right to health, right to water, right to food, and the right to housing. Acute water shortages and decreased crop yields in the poorer region of the world, to take just two examples, would undermine the rights of millions of people.

State responses to the threat of climate change must ensure that human rights are protected. Strategies for adaptation (preparing for the foreseeable adverse effects of climate change) and mitigation (slowing climate change and reducing its harmful effects) must be firmly rooted in a human rights analysis of the legal obligations of states. Amnesty International believes that the following rights and principles must be an integral part of efforts to address climate change:

• Non-discrimination: The effects of climate change will be felt disproportionately by those who are also vulnerable to human rights abuses because of their poverty, age, gender, race, ethnicity, disability or other status. Climate change policies must not discriminate and must ensure protection against discrimination, particularly of the most vulnerable groups.
• Freedom of information: Access to information is critical to addressing climate change. States must promote and facilitate the flow of information on climate change and measures taken to address it. States have a duty to disseminate information about environmental risks.
• Right to active participation: States must conduct adequate and meaningful consultation with affected people, involving them in decision-making on the policies that would shape their lives. States must ensure participation of civil society, including representative of vulnerable groups, in the design of national adaptation and mitigation strategies
• Rights to freedom of expression, association and assembly: The right to peacefully protest against government action or inaction in relation to climate change is a crucial safeguard that must be respected and protected. Individuals must enjoy the right to seek, receive and impart information and ideas, and must not be persecuted or otherwise harassed for exercising these human rights.
• Accountability and the right to effective remedy: Where states’ actions and omissions in relation to the impacts of climate change result in human rights violations, victims should have access to an effective remedy.

www.amnesty.org

Take action online:

Check out more about the tcktcktck  campaign here: http://tcktcktck.org/

Demand Dignity animation © Amnesty International

Billions of people are suffering from insecurity, injustice and indignity around the world.  The global economic crisis is driving millions more people into poverty and placing them at increased risk of human rights violations such as food insecurity or forced eviction.

The world urgently needs a different kind of response and a different kind of leadership if we are to reverse this dramatic escalation of human misery.

The solution can only be found through a coordinated and concerted response rooted in human rights and the rule of law. This requires strong leadership, and your voice.

((( Make Your Mark )))

Amplfiy your voice with Asia Pacific Youth Network

Join young people around the globe Tuesday October 17, 2009 to (((Demand Dignity))) – this is the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.

Add the amplification marks “((( around a word / object )))” to something in your world, take a photo or video and upload (or send to) APYN. More Human Rights = Less Poverty Join the Asia Pacific Youth Network on October 17, 2009 to amplify young voices in the Asia Pacific region, who are demanding dignity! It’s easy – simply think about what Dignity means to you and amplify it through taking a photo of it surrounded by the amplification symbol “ ((( ))) ” .

Then load it up with APYN to amplify your call with your friends across the Asia Pacific.

The International Week of Youth Action (IWYA) will take place simultaneously in hundreds of locations around the globe from 12 to 17 October 2009. The main theme of the IWYA will be Demand Dignity: Human Rights = Less Poverty. The Asia Pacific Youth Network invites all young people in the Asia Pacific to join.

Get involved today! Pledge below to take action, include your name, email and location

Get creative to (((Make Your Mark)))

• Use nature: draw the symbol in sand, or cut it into grass, or use your bodies!
• Be symbolic: display the symbol in significant locations
• Paint or stencil the symbol with ‘clean graffiti’ (chalk, non permanent paint on cardboard mounts or fabric etc). Remember to get permission!
• Create sections of the symbol on big cardboard boxes of the symbol that you can put together into one large display.
• Display the amplification marks in your work, school or home window, create and use posters, stamps or stickers in colleges, community centers, cafés…
• Wear it! Get people to show their support for the campaign through clothes and other items, for example: T-shirts, bracelets, badges, with make up, stickers and more!
• Create it: bake cookies or cakes, and ice them with “((( )))”, take photos of objects that signify dignity to you encased in “((( )))”, do a poster run around (legal) areas with the “((( )))” symbol, draw or dance ‘dignity’ and ask a friend to video – so much more!
• Think about things you use or come into contact everyday, can you use vegetables to create the “((( )))” symbol on your plate? Can you and your friend’s arms become amplification symbols?

Already busy on October 17? Doesn’t matter! It could take only a minute of your day – if it’s your birthday, have a happy snap with the amplification symbol, if you have an activity planned, see if you can spare a moment to include some way to (((Make Your Mark))), going to be away on holiday, consider what Dignity means to the place you are visiting and (((Make Your Mark))) in a small, unobtrusive way! Decide now to be part of this on October 17!

Yes, I want to (((Make My Mark))) on October 17 So, want to (((make your mark))) on October 17?

1. Register your participation in October 17 here

2. Donate your twitter or facebook status for the day.  Collate responses and send them in from your comments and RT’s.

• On Facebook, visit our Fan page, become a fan and sign up to add your status on October 17 (different language translations are available : want to help translate? contact apyncampaigns@gmail.com with the name of your language).
• If you’re on Twitter, use our Twitter app to help amplify your voice, and join others from around the world.

3. Invite your friends to join you!

4. Between October 12 and 17, add the amplification marks “ (((around a word / object )))“ in your world then…photograph, video or somehow ‘record’ you making your mark to ((( Demand Dignity))) – Get creative!

5. and take a photo, video, audio recording to (((Make Your Mark))) then send it back to APYN [webforms to be live on October 17 from www.apyouth.net] or submit directly to www.demanddignity.org (when you add it insert “imyoung09” and then your text) (((Need amplification marks?))) they just look like this: “(((” “)))”! Email apyncampaigns@gmail.com if you need more!

WHAT IS THE (((DEMAND DIGNITY))) CAMPAIGN?

Asia Pacific Youth Network supports Amnesty International’s Demand Dignity campaign, which aims to end global poverty by working to strengthen recognition and protection of the rights of the poor. The campaign will demand the leadership, accountability and transparency that are essential to end the human rights violations that keep people poor. This is a campaign about all human rights. It is the combined abuse of civil, cultural, economic, political and social rights that drives and deepens poverty. By demanding dignity we are demanding that all states adopt and implement the laws, policies and practices that will end deprivation, insecurity, exclusion, and voicelessness. Participation and involvement in the decisions that impact on our lives are essential to human rights. By including all rights holders in policy making governments are at once creating a framework for accountability, transparency, inclusion and empowerment. These are the prerequisites to ending poverty. The Demand Dignity campaign puts rights at the centre of poverty eradication, and make rights protection efforts work for all people. The stories and solutions that people living in poverty have to tell will be the centerpiece of this worldwide mobilization. Together we will amplify their voices and demand effective responses from political leaders.

Around 4,200 families living on or around Boeung Kak Lake in central Phnom Penh are affected by the re-development, which is the outcome of an agreement reached in 2007 between the Municipality of Phnom Penh and a private company. The company started filling the lake with sand in August 2008, in preparation for building.

The agreement was made without any prior consultation with the affected families, who since learning about the deal have repeatedly protested and voiced concern about the plans. At least two villagers have been arrested for their peaceful protests. Company workers and security forces have intimidated and harassed many others, while the rising water levels caused by the filling of the lake, have flooded and destroyed many homes around its shore, forcing people to move.

PLEASE WRITE IMMEDIATELY in English, Khmer or your own language:

• Urging the authorities to halt immediately any plans to forcibly evict the families living in Villages 2 and 4 in Boeung Kak;
• urging them to reconsider the plan to move the community to a resettlement site at Damnak Trayoeung, which has no adequate shelter, water, electricity, sanitation, sewerage, health care or job opportunities;
• Calling on the authorities to hold genuine consultations about the onsite development plans, including clarifying the time frame for temporary relocation and a guarantee of security of tenure at Boeung Kak;
• Demanding that they uphold Cambodia’s obligations under international human rights treaties prohibiting forced eviction and related human rights violations.

Help stop these forced evictions. Please send your message now.

Sign our petition calling for an end to forced evictions in Cambodia, and recognition of the land rights of Villages 2 and 4 in Boeung Kak, Phnom Penh.

Read the background information on this case

Action posted by James

Watch and share the video on the eviction: http://hub.witness.org/en/Group78Eviction2

Watch and share the video on Group 78: http://hub.witness.org/en/blog/Group78Eviction
A coalition of NGOs in Cambodia issued a joint statement:
“Joint civil society organizations strongly condemn the 3-years-long coercion campaign of Group 78 residents to leave their homes and land, culminating in this morning’s final eviction of the area.”

“Today is yet another black day for land rights in Cambodia,” said LICADHO director Naly Pilorge. “Once more, some of Phnom Penh’s poorest and most vulnerable residents have been forced off their land in return for grossly inadequate compensation.”

Read the statement: http://www.licadho-cambodia.org/pressrelease.php?perm=211

Amnesty International condemned the forced eviction:

“The families dismantled their homes after three years of government harassment and intimidation, with no choice but to accept inadequate compensation rather than have their homes demolished.”

Read the AI press release: http://tinyurl.com/nkv22b

On July 16, the governments of 7 countries, along with the World Bank, United Nations, and others, called on the Cambodian government to stop all forced evictions in the country until a fair mechanism for resolving land disputes and a comprehensive resettlement policy are developed.

Read more: http://hub.witness.org/en/blog/Group78Eviction

These governments and organizations are part of “Development Partners” – donors to Cambodia.

[source:witness.org]

Before daybreak this morning at least 70 security forces, some armed with guns and electronic batons, moved in and fenced off the area where four remaining families were holding out. Within hours, the resisting families felt they had no choice but to leave.

We don’t yet know where people have gone or what has happened to their homes and community. Right now we’re tracking down a number of the families and will share their stories as information becomes available.

APYN strongly condemns this forced eviction and the deeply flawed process that led to it.

We’ll continue to keep you updated about the plight of Group 78 via our website.

Sadly, Group 78 are not alone in their struggle. In 2008 we received reports of about 27 forced evictions, impacting an estimated 23,000 people; but together – as a movement of 2.7 million supporters – we’ll continue to call for real, lasting change.

CONGRATULATIONS! You did it!! 30 May 2009

Together… Ten countries, 46 activities, youth voices amplified!
View Pictures on Facebook >>>

IN AUSTRALIA: Youth activists in three cities collected signatures, facilitated voices activism and discussed the key campaign themes.

IN BANGLADESH: Two events were held, one in front of T.S.C, Dhaka University, where youth activists participated in placard demonstrations, human chains, signature petitioning and a quiz competition. The second event held in Rajshahi, where youth activists demonstrated their call to Demand Dignity.

IN HONG KONG:
Youth activists collected 85 signatures on petition to end forced evictions in Cambodia!

IN INDIA: An event hosted by YUVA, more than 30 activists developed placards and formed a chain, singing songs, sloganeering and demanding dignity for all!

IN JAPAN: Youth activists in Tokyo gathered in Shinjunku facilitating voices activism on business cards at the Earth Day Fair in Meiji Park.
IN MALAYSIA: Youth activists gathered to develop aerial art to (((Demand Dignity)))

IN MONGOLIA: Youth activists participated in training and collected Voices activism pieces after planned public activities were cancelled due circumstances beyond their control. Activists also took action online.

IN NEPAL: Hundreds of youth activists gathered in Kathmandu, joined by over 30 groups of peers throughout Nepal to (((Demand Dignity))). Photographs are available and a video will be made available.

IN THE PHILIPPINES:  Four events organised by youth activists including video booths, snake rally, motorcade and rally were held Manila, Cebu, Cagayan de Oro and Zamboanga City – all including activities to end forced evictions!  Activists had a strong response from the public and widespread media coverage.

IN THAILAND: Youth activists participated in a day program in a house party.

ONLINE:
Youth activists not near a local activity were encouraged to take action online through contributing a response to “What does living with Dignity mean to me?” and invited to take part in a map petition action. You can still do this NOW!

Thank You for your support and participation!

Let’s join activists around the region to Demand Dignity!
>>> check out the (((Demand Dignity))) Launch events

You can take action online to be part of the activities!
If you have:

• 30 seconds today:

Log your location on our map petition & tell your friends about it!

• 30 minutes today:
• Follow us on Twitter and respond to our questions;
• Post your voice on http://www.demanddignity.org and invite some friends too!
• Encourage your friends to join the Asia Pacific Youth Network.
• Log your location on our map petition & tell your friends about it!
• Invite 30 of your friends to join the Asia Pacific Youth Network on Facebook
• 30 hours in the next 3 months:

Organise a local activity with your friends over the next 3 months exploring the themes of the Demand Dignity campaign – “What does Dignity mean to you?”. You’ll need to email your idea and plan to us.

• 30 days over the next 6 months:

Today – log on to your favourite social networking site, create an APYN Demand Dignity group, and invite 30 of your friends to join. Email us the pathway to your group to find out the next 29 actions to sustain your network of young human rights activists!

• 3 months:

Become youth ambassador!
Look out for details next week on this site or email your interest to us!

Set yourself a target, devise an action plan and implement it! It’s a longer term project that connects you with other people who want to Demand Dignity! Email us for more information.

Got a better idea? email it to us or post comment below!

Look forward to hearing from you or seeing you in one of our activities!

In a world where 1 billion people live in slums our call is simple: More Human Rights = Less Poverty.

With over thirty activities, activists under the age of thirty years act together to amplify their demands for dignity for all.

Join us and add your voice on our map petition.