Governments and civil society attending the COP27 climate summit in Egypt are working tirelessly to negotiate responses to the climate crisis that threatens human rights around the world. UN human rights experts have suggested that governments explicitly refer to and apply human rights principles in such negotiations.
But the Egyptian government’s brutal crackdown on civil society and harassment of environmental activists have diverted attention from the desire to drive ambitious climate action.
On the morning of November 10, climate activists from around the world gathered on the official COP27 online page to show solidarity with Alaa Abdel Fattah, an imprisoned Egyptian-British activist who escalated his hunger strike on November 6 by refusing to drink water and undergoing medical surgery in opposition to his will. They also suggested to government delegations at COP27 that they vote for his release.
Later that day, thirteen human rights organizations, in addition to Human Rights Watch, issued a complaint over the Egyptian government’s denial of access last night to an Italian human rights activist. Giorgio Caracciolo works for the anti-torture advocacy organization Dignity and intended to attend COP27 – related events. He was denied access and deported despite a valid Egypt entry visa and accreditation for the COP27 Green Zone. The Egyptian government did not provide him with an explanation as to why to revoke his visa and deny him access.
Beyond the warning having an effect on Caracciolo, who has now been prevented from attending COP27 and addressing the human rights situation in Egypt, those tactics create an atmosphere of concern for all activists speaking out about human rights at COP27.
They also divert resources. Instead of advocating for ambitious, rights-based climate action, many COP participants redirected their efforts to protect their rights and stand in solidarity with those illegally imprisoned in Egypt.
While activists at previous climate talks have faced similar problems, Egypt shows us once and for all that the debate over whether ambitious climate policies or human rights coverage come first presents a false dichotomy. We will not get the climate action we want without respect. for human rights