Press Release
For Immediate Release
Uganda| Celebrating the Courage and Resilience of Environmental Human Rights Defenders (EHRDs) -Our Planet’s Champions
(Kampala, December 9, 2023) We join the globe to commemorate International Human Rights Defenders Day on the eve of this year’s 75th anniversary of the Universal Human Rights Declaration-a unique moment in history. This day honors the brave efforts of people who give their all to advance and defend human rights, frequently putting their own safety and lives in danger to guarantee justice, equality, and freedom for all. International Human Rights Defenders Day is an opportunity to honor and celebrate the vital work that human rights defenders do on a national, regional, and worldwide scale as often has been said, written and now we must live it. It also serves as a reminder of the priceless contributions made by activists, advocates, civil society organizations, and individuals on the front lines of human rights advocacy.
As the Green deal we acknowledge the World’s crises and particularly the Climate change crisis that remains very pervasive. Uganda has had it’s fair share of it’s effects with spontaneous run-away floods displacing vulnerable communities in it’s path but also washing away important bridges that connect communities. We’ve most recently seen two weeks ago, River Kafu burst its banks, displacing 2,000 households in parts of Hoima, Kyankwanzi, Masindi, Nakasongola and Kiryandongo districts. The floods destroyed several roads and bridges, among other infrastructure in the districts.Its a micro-cosm of a much bigger climate and environmental crisis before us. With this and many other crisises, EHRDs have emerged and they’re using every tool within their means to speak out, to ask more of agencies like the National Environment Management Authority, the Uganda Human Rights Commission, Uganda National Roads Authority and government to do more to reverse the trend.
We honor the great sacrifices made by these EHRDs on this day, in the face of violence, threats, and various forms of repression. This year, we have dedicated our efforts towards equipping EHRDs in Moroto, the Benet community, Kapchorwa with the requisite knowledge and skills to support their work and we stand in solidarity with mostly the structurally marginalized; women, PWDs, youth to mention but a few. We encourage government, institutions, and individuals to ensure the protection and support of human rights defenders, both legally and morally. Join our campaign #ForTheEnvironment.
Respecting EHRDs entails appreciating their vital contributions to the advancement of the ideals of justice, equality, and freedom for all. As an organisation, we are dedicated to upholding, supporting, and safeguarding the freedoms and rights of Environmental human rights defenders, particularly those who seek to save the environment and guarantee climate justice. We therefore call upon all stakeholders, including governments, international bodies, civil society, and the private sector, to collaborate and amplify our efforts to create a safe and enabling environment for all human rights defenders.
Human Rights Every day!
For inquiries, please contact: info@greendealglobal.org
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