In response to record fires across South America, with several millions of hectares burning across the Amazon basin and the entire continent, Amnesty International today published an Open Letter addressed to the presidents of Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay and Peru calling for governments to ramp up action to extinguish wildfires, strengthen efforts to abandon fossil fuels, protect territories of Indigenous Peoples, and provide guarantees to environmental human rights defenders. Weiterlesen
We must act globally to safeguard the future of humanity
By Agnès Callamard, Secretary General at Amnesty International Multiple wars, extreme inequality, a looming climate collapse, and new technologies capable of transforming our very existence have brought humanity to a crossroads. We have no time left for complacency or defeatism—only a shared responsibility to salvage the world that we owe to future generations. Weiterlesen
THE 2048 COMMISSION – Rethinking global governance for now and our future
Today’s world – and tomorrow’s – is one of turmoil. This is the result of overlapping and intertwining threats and challenges: an unchecked climate crisis; pandemics; deep and growing inequalities between and within states; and the latest of the industrial revolutions, centred on artificial intelligence, that could turn everything upside down … Weiterlesen
Europe: New Amnesty briefing analyzes landmark climate judgments of the European Court of Human Rights
Amnesty International has today published a briefing that analyzes three landmark climate judgments of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR), issued on 9 April 2024, on cases brought by older Swiss women, six young Portuguese people, and a former French mayor and member of the European Parliament. Weiterlesen
Ecuador: Gas flares in the Amazon threatens human rights in the present and future
Countries that are dependent on oil extraction must immediately put an end to harmful activities such as routine flaring and prioritize the urgent phase-out of fossil fuels to ensure a rapid and just energy transition. According to a new report released today by Amnesty International, eliminating flaring is one of the most immediate and critical measures to address the climate crisis, which disproportionately affects historically marginalized communities in sacrifice zones. Weiterlesen
Benin: Prisoners penned into overcrowded, dirty cells denied healthcare amid heatwave
Prisoners in Benin were subjected to filthy, overcrowded cells and denied clean water and medical treatment last year. According to information gathered from health and prison workers, several dozen prisoners died during a seven-month period last year, Amnesty International said today. Weiterlesen
Successful climate lawsuit in Costa Rica – young people gain access to climate-related information
On 26 January 2024, the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court of Costa Rica ruled the government to publish climate-related information. The proceedings were based on a complaint by twelve civil society organisations, which submitted a request for information to the government on 21/09/2023. With the successful outcome of this case, another climate lawsuit in Latin America has now made a contribution to improved climate adaptation. Weiterlesen
The EU Supply Chain Act – Assessment by the Climate Crisis and Human Rights Working Group
States have an obligation to respect, protect and fulfil human rights. This also applies to human rights that are threatened by climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss – three interlinked threats. In 2022, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) recognised the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment as a human right. States are therefore required to do everything possible to counteract these threats. Weiterlesen
Global: Widening impact of climate change on air pollution in South Asia requires urgent international cooperation and assistance.
Responding to the new report naming three South Asian countries – Bangladesh, Pakistan and India – having the worst air quality globally at a time when the World Meteorological Organization has issued a ‘red alert’ for global warming indicators, Ann Harrison, Amnesty International’s Climate Adviser, said: Weiterlesen
Global: What happened at COP28? Essential need-to-knows
Press release | Originally published here | December 14, 2023 The COP28 climate summit in Dubai ended after 14 days with an agreement which recognized for the first time the need to move away from fossil fuels. Hailed by some as “historical” but decried by others as a “death certificate” – here’s what you need Weiterlesen