At its 20th session, the UN Human Rights Council requested its Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons to explore the human rights implications of disaster-induced internal displacement.
The request links climate change with environmental degradation and extreme weather events.
6 July 2012: During its 20th session, the UN Human Rights Council expressed concern over the expected exacerbating impact of climate change on natural hazards and climate-related events, and its related contribution to internal displacement.
Resolution A/HRC/20/L.14 – one of 22 adopted at the session – calls for disaster risk reduction (DRR) and the building of resilience to disasters to be addressed with a renewed sense of urgency in the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication.
In the resolution, the Council invites the Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons to continue exploring the human rights implications and dimensions of disaster-induced internal displacement, with a view to supporting Member States in their efforts to build local resilience and capacity to prevent displacement, or to provide assistance and protection to those who are forced to flee. The resolution refers to the adverse effects of climate change in environmental degradation and extreme weather events.
The Council’s 20th session took place in Geneva, Switzerland, from 18 June – 6 July 2012. The UN Human Rights Council is made up of 47 UN Member States elected by the UN General Assembly (UNGA), with responsibility for strengthening the promotion and protection of human rights around the globe, and for addressing situations of human rights violations and making recommendations. [Full Text of the Resolution] [OHCHR Press Release] [Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) Website]