UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk. Volker Türk: “An overheating planet is the greatest generator of human rights violations in history” Climate and Environment
A new approach based on human rights, justice and equality must be applied to the climate talks taking place in the capital of Azerbaijan. This is stated in a statement by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, released on the opening day of the 29th UN Climate Conference (COP-29).
“We are fighting the fight of our lives,” said Volker Türk. “The triple planetary crisis of climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss threatens each and every one of us. The survival of communities, countries and even humanity itself hangs in the balance.”
According to the High Commissioner, the overheating planet is “the greatest generator of human rights violations in human history.”
“And this is just the beginning,” he said. “Around the world, people are being forced into poverty and hunger by climate chaos. Families are seeing their homes and livelihoods wiped out by recurring floods. Storms and droughts are devastating entire communities. Future generations will inherit an even more unpredictable and dangerous world.”
The world’s least developed countries are bearing the brunt of climate damage, Volker Türk continued. Certain groups are suffering disproportionately in these countries, including indigenous peoples, migrants, refugees, women and girls, and people with disabilities.
“That’s why I’ve written to world leaders, calling on them to urgently work together to reduce emissions and support those facing climate chaos,” he said. “This is what the moment demands.” Science and people around the world demand this. Time and again, scientists have made clear calls for urgent action to save the planet.”
Volker Türk noted that the conference in Baku must be a turning point: its participants at the highest political level must focus on stopping the climate crisis and protecting those who are already feeling its harmful effects.
“All countries must commit to protecting climate and environmental activists and involving those who have suffered most from this crisis in decision-making,” Volker Türk emphasized. “Together, we must call even more urgently for an end to the fossil fuel era, for justice and accountability.”