Highlights
Background
The purpose of the European Forum on Environmental Human Rights Defenders (the Forum) is to enhance the collaboration between Environmental Human Rights Defenders (EHRDs), civil society organisations (CSOs), grassroot movements, Indigenous Peoples, government representatives and national, regional and international institutions and mechanisms, as well as other relevant actors to address challenges, share experiences, and promote stronger protections for EHRDs. Drawing on similar forums that have been established in Asia-Pacific and LAC to support EHRDs in these regions, the first Forum served to increase awareness, share good practices and peer learning, and address the risks and challenges faced by defenders in Europe, including related to the human rights issues they advocate for. The Forum, the first of its kind in the region, enabled defenders to connect and strategise with peers engaged in environmental action and engage with policymakers, regional and UN-level organizations and procedures as well as National Human Rights Institutions.
The initiative is co-led by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the Council of Europe, the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA), and the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on Environmental Defenders under the Aarhus Convention, in cooperation with UNECE Aarhus Convention secretariat, several Human Rights Council Special Procedure mandate holders, and civil society organisations active in Europe.
The Forum will be developed in consultation with defenders, including activists who may not formally identify as EHRDs. The Forum should be regarded as a process, building on existing mechanisms and initiatives in Europe to promote synergies and overcome silos. The modalities of the discussions should ensure sufficient space for EHRDs to engage and lead to policy developments, the identification of recommendations for the implementation of relevant environmental and human rights standards and legislation, and the development of joint strategies to drive commitments and practical measures to enhance EHRDs protection and ensure their inclusion and participation. To foster continuous dialogue, the Forum is planned as a regular (biennial) event.
Key Objectives of the first edition of the Forum
- Improve existing protection mechanisms for EHRDs in the European region, including the 46 members States of the Council of Europe, through:
- Review of the effectiveness, accessibility and comprehensiveness of current mechanisms;
- Awareness-raising and promotion of available protection tools;
- Targeted capacity-building;
- Integration of a gender-sensitive, intersectional and inter-generational approach.
- Identify gaps in policies and legislation affecting the protection and work of EHRDs and produce concrete, actionable recommendations on behalf of the Forum for potential endorsement by policymakers.
- Enhance coordination between UN mechanisms, regional organisations, and EU and national institutions and procedures to strengthen protection frameworks for EHRDs in the European region and improve collaboration between institutions and EHRD organisations.
- Provide structured opportunities for EHRDs to engage directly with relevant UN, Council of Europe, EU and regional mechanisms and procedures working on issues relevant to their protection.
- Provide a safe and enabling space for dialogue on ongoing challenges and regional trends affecting EHRDs in the European region, particularly in relation to exercising:
- The right to participation;
- Freedoms of expression, assembly, and association;
- Access to information;
- Access to justice in environmental matters.
- Facilitate an exchange among diverse relevant actors on rights-based responses to environmental crises, including recognition of EHRDs’ effective contributions to the preservation of the environment and life-supporting ecosystems in Europe.
- Promote shared understanding and mutual learning by exchanging good practices and success stories, as well as reflecting openly on negative experiences and blind spots, particularly on the realisation of the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment.
Format and Participants
The first edition of the Forum will gather around 400 participants. It will be held over two days:
- Day 1: Discussion among EHRDs.
- Day 2: Open space for EHRDs’ engagement with other actors – participation on this day will be open to policy makers from the European region including the 46 Council of Europe member States, the Equinet, the European Network of Equality Bodies, the European network of national human rights institutions (ENNHRI), broader civil society and academia, etc.
There will be parallel events in the city of Strasbourg.
Parallel Events
On the occasion of the First European Forum on Environmental Human Rights Defenders, several events will take place in Strasbourg:
- A youth gathering will be organised on 2 June, starting at 19.00, for youth participants in the Forum (registration and information: [email protected])
- A round-table organised by the University of Strasbourg on 3 June, 18.00-19.30, including interventions from the Vice-Chair of the United Nations Human Rights Committee and representatives from local NGOs
- A reception hosted by the Mayor of Strasbourg for Forum participants on 3 June, starting at 20.00 (access on presentation of the Forum accreditation)
- A screening of the film “Climate Justice” followed by a round table discussion at the UGC Ciné Cité on 4 June at 20.00
Documents
The Forum aligns with Objective 3 of the Council of Europe Strategy on the Environment (Supporting and protecting environmental human rights defenders and whistle-blowers).
Reykjavík process and the environment
