Human rights key issue, warns the Danish Institute for Human Rights

The Danish Institute for Human Rights has expressed concerns over misleading and inaccurate references made during climate discussions towards ensuring basic human rights are met for individuals from poorer nations may lead to a lack of any adequate rights secured in the final agreement.

During the analyzing of preparatory documents, the Institute documented certain comments were found to be inaccurate and wholly inappropriate.

In a new policy text entitled, "Human Rights and Climate Change", the Danish Institute for Human Rights concludes human rights are detrimental to a definitive agreement.

"There is reason to integrate more firmly human rights into the negotiating texts and in the final agreement," state the Danish Institute for Human Rights.

The Director of the Danish Institute for Human Rights, Jonas Christoffersen, stresses the responsibility of securing the human rights of people within the final document lies in states taking immediate action.

"For instance, if the right to health is not provided in the agreement, how will we ensure that the relevant actors are called into action, when climate changes undermine the livelihood and health of people," said Christoffersen.

Christoffersen continued by adding, "If for instance the right to health is not specified in the agreement, there are no real obligations and no one can be held accountable.

This also means that we will not be gathering knowledge in this area, with the implication that vulnerable people may tend to become invisible."

 

Author: Diva Rodriguez

Image source: Filipe Moreira/flickr