The Workgroup ” Climate Change and Human Rights “

The directorate IV of the Council of Europe took the initiative to gather all the constituents of the organization around a major challenge, the climate change, the impacts of which will affect the survival of humanity. This subject of concern is discussed by numerous international organizations but was never envisaged under the angle of human rights or under that of democracy and social cohesion. Only the question of the ecological refugees appeared in the public debates. Now the future of the planet and its inhabitants, in terms of territories and resources, requires, more and more in the short term in considering the current trends, a democratic governance aiming at solidarity between the peoples.

The INGOs of our committee are called to make proposals so that the international conference scheduled for October 2012 is a real headway in the reduction and the adaptation to the effects of the climate change at well for the member countries of the Council of Europe and at global level.

We shall have the task to make concrete, realistic, adapted proposals, to guarantee the taking into consideration of human rights, democratic decisions, and social cohesion. The civil society, which we represent, has to bring up to the decision-making level the needs of the population. The large variety of interests of the committee’ members has the power to make so that none of these needs is neglected.

Expected results:

The work realized in common with the various directorates of the Council (including the Court), the PACE and the Congress will end in October, 2012 in an international conference during which  propositions will be made to include the environment into the European Convention on Human Rights and to build this right at  international level in cooperation with the UN system.

Agenda:

This WG will prepare the INGO’s position paper up to the organization of the conference in October, 2012 then will assure the follow-up of the recommendations in connection with the PACE, the Congress and the Court of Human Rights.

 
Call for participation:
 
In order that Pax Romana contributes effectively to the workgroup proposals, would it be possible to obtain from Pax Romana members some lines on our subject? How do you see the contribution of the NGO in this debate? What particular light can bring Pax Romana? Please send your contribution to :
 
Philippe GROLLEAU
 
Permanent Delegate of Pax Romana
to the Council of Europe