CALLING ALL LAND DEFENDERS: United Nations Call for Input
🚨Calling all Land Defenders 🚨
The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders is compiling a report on human rights defenders working on climate change and a just transition and wants to hear from YOU.
What does this mean?
Governments around the world have set targets to mitigate (reduce or stop) climate change and implement a just transition to renewable energy during international climate negotiations like the UNFCCC. The United Nations has acknowledged the impact of human rights and land defenders in helping countries (like so-called Canada) achieve those targets. This report will help demonstrate the impact land defenders have in protecting our territories and highlight the risks involved including surveillance and militarized policing within our communities.
Why is it important?
We know land defenders are the best defense against the climate crisis. Contributing your knowledge and stories to this report will unveil the true treatment of land defenders in so-called Canada. Across the world, “Canada” is seen as a leader in Indigenous relations. We know from experience - this is not the case. Not only will your submission help in showing the true relationship between so-called Canada and Indigenous peoples, but the report will be presented to the UN General Assembly in October of 2025.
Why is the General Assembly Important?
The General Assembly is where governments gather to discuss and address a wide range of issues. All members of the United Nations meet here to discuss political, economic, humanitarian, social and legal matters. The UN General Assembly has 193 members who discuss international issues in order to provide collectively agreed upon recommendations to governments. You can learn more about the functions of the general assembly here.
How to get involved?
Submissions can be made by email to hrc-sr-defenders@un.org by 30 April 2025. The report focuses on four key areas, guided by leading questions related to positive trends, successes, risks and retaliation, and additional recommendations.
Submissions do not need to answer all the questions. You have the choice to pick which questions to answer. You can find the full list of questions at this link.
Email address: hrc-sr-defenders@un.org
Email subject line: 2025 GA report on HRDs and climate change
Word/Page limit: 2000 words
Accepted file formats: Word, PDF
Accepted Languages: English, French, Spanish
Need help submitting?
If you are an Indigenous land defender or water protector and could use support in completing your submission, our team is available to help. Please complete the form at the link below by or before April 25, 2025 to request support and our team will follow up to schedule a call.
