We acknowledge the intrinsic link between biodiversity and human rights. Biodiversity encompasses the vast array of ecosystems, species, and genetic diversity that exist on Earth. It provides essential resources for human survival, such as food, medicine, and clean air and water. Protecting biodiversity is therefore not only an environmental imperative but also a matter of ensuring the rights and well-being of present and future generations.

As Chairs of Human Rights Solidarity, Berk Batin, a first-year psychology student at Kings College London, and Burak Batuhan Karakus, a second-year law student at City, University of London, we are honoured to spearhead a project with a dedicated team of passionate individuals. Together, we are committed to upholding human rights and working towards making a lasting impact in our society.

Recognizing the interconnectedness of human rights and biodiversity, we strive to be the water that nourishes the sapling of human rights while fostering the preservation and sustainable management of biodiversity. By advocating for justice, equality, and dignity, we aim to create a world where the rights of all individuals are respected, protected, and harmoniously coexist with the natural world.

You can read the full details of the project and the programme in the section below:

We have made our amendment proposals on “Political strategies to prevent, prepare for, and face the consequences of natural disasters.”

We are delighted to announce our proposed amendments to the draft report on the Political strategies to prevent, prepare for, and face the consequences of natural disasters. We hope to make contribution to the work of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe which is dedicated to upholding human rights, democracy and the rule of law.

DATE: 21 June 2021

PLACE: YouTube

COMMITTEE: Environmental Rights Committee

Originally planned for 5 June, the World Environment Day, this YouTube broadcast had to be delayed to 21 June due to technical issues. Despite late, we had an amazing YouTube live event with scientist Tierra Curry and climate activist Rob Callender to celebrate World Environment Day and once again reminded each other of the importance of our environment and treating it well. The particular theme of this broadcast was what the youth could do to spread awareness on  the current climate crisis.

The program can be watched at our YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGpqWxy1mnE&t=11s

DATE: 22 April 2021

PLACE: YouTube

COMMITTEE: Environmental Rights Committee

EARTHDAY.ORG’s theme for Earth Day 2021 was Restore Our Earth, a theme focusing on natural processes, emerging green technologies, and innovative thinking that can restore the world’s ecosystems. With the awarenesss that we all need a healthy Earth to support our jobs, livelihoods, health & survival, and happiness, our Environmental Rights Committee hosted a live YouTube event to raise awareness that a healthy planet is not an option — it is a necessity.

Our guest speakers were:

• Line Niedeggen, Climate Justice Activist at Fridays For Future Germany
• Hayley Pinto, Speaker at Greenpeace UK

The event can be watched at our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psQ-t-cmJMs

DATE: 7 April 2021

PLACE: Instagram

COMMITTEE: Environmental Rights 

Humans have altered nearly three-quarters of the Earth’s ice-free land to meet an ever-increasing demand for food, raw materials, highways, and homes. Avoiding, slowing, and reversing the loss of productive land and natural ecosystems is urgent and critical for a rapid recovery from the pandemic and ensuring the long-term survival of people and the planet.

Over the next decade, current commitments from over 100 countries call for the restoration of nearly 1 billion hectares of land – an area nearly the size of China. If we restore this land, we will be able to provide enormous benefits to both people and the environment.

Environmental Rights Committee organised an Instagram Live event on the occasion of the World Day to Combat Desertification and had  Nomhle  Senene, a 13-year-old climate and social justice activist, and Jerome Foster II, an 18-year-old activist who is an Environmental Justice Council Member at the White House.

DATE: 4 April 2021

PLACE: Parks and streets

COMMITTEE: Environmental Rights Committee

The Neighbourhood Cleanup Day is part of the Restore Our Earth campaign run within the framework of the Earth Day 2021.  With this project we aimed to show that the solution to the global environmental crisis starts by taking small and localised actions that have an impact on the environment. Our small step was plogging; a new trend where picking up trash is combined with jogging.

We wanted to illustrate that individuals do not have to be environmentalists, activists or experts to make a difference for the future of our planet. We asked our volunteers to clean their streets, beaches, rivers, forests, parks and neighbourhoods.

DATE: 3 March 2021

PLACE: YouTube

COMMITTEE: Environmental Rights Committee

World Wildlife Day is celebrated annually on the 3rd of March in support of animals and plants across the world. The event was proposed by Thailand and was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly during its 68th meeting in 2013.

On the occasion of the World Wildlife Day, we celebrated forms of wild fauna and flora and tried to raise awareness on the benefits of their conservation. At the same time, we discussed the urgent need to step up the fight against wildlife crime and human-induced reduction of species, which have wide-ranging economic, environmental and social impacts.

We invited various guest speakers from different backgrounds sharing the same interest in our ecosystem and biodiversity.

Our guest speakers were:

• Tierra Curry, Senior Scientist at Center for Biological Diversity
• Finlay Pringle, Environmental campaigner at Ullapool Shark Ambassador
• Erik Solheim, The Sixth UN Environment Executive Director and Undersecretary General of the United Nations
• Marjan Verschragen, An ambassador at eXXpedition artist and environmental technician

The program can be watched here: 

Erik Solheim: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCUEK6KnBKA&t=2s

Finlay Pringle: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4lbaqXBleJ0&t=74s

Marjan Verschragen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qaiXPRW2Gtw&t=155s

Tierra Curry: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBaabPj3XZY