abusesaffiliationarrow-downarrow-leftarrow-rightarrow-upattack-typeburgerchevron-downchevron-leftchevron-rightchevron-upClock iconclosedeletedevelopment-povertydiscriminationdollardownloademailenvironmentexternal-linkfacebookfiltergenderglobegroupshealthC4067174-3DD9-4B9E-AD64-284FDAAE6338@1xinformation-outlineinformationinstagraminvestment-trade-globalisationissueslabourlanguagesShapeCombined Shapeline, chart, up, arrow, graphLinkedInlocationmap-pinminusnewsorganisationotheroverviewpluspreviewArtboard 185profilerefreshIconnewssearchsecurityPathStock downStock steadyStock uptagticktooltiptwitteruniversalityweb
Article

8 Apr 2016

Author:
May Boeve, 350.org, on Thomson Reuters Foundation

Climate & human rights movements must link up in face of violent crackdowns, says Executive Director of 350.org

Yesterday’s news of the tragic loss of life of environmental activists protesting a coal plant in Bangladesh is just the latest of a string of violent attacks against peaceful activists standing up to the extractive industries and the consequences of climate change...Over the past year the climate movement has gone from strength to strength, and is now posing a real threat to the environmentally destructive energy industry; this is being met with extreme violence...it is imperative we defend the defenders by carrying on, building on their work and standing in solidarity honouring their accomplishments. We are unifying and taking part in even more peaceful protests while sending the message that violent crackdowns will not go unnoticed. Intimidation will not stop the movement...When protest becomes risky for our friends and allies in other parts of the world, it becomes the job of those in safer places to get even louder...We have been inspired by so many movements and organizations that have congregated to defend the defenders, and we see enormous potential in linking the climate movement to the movement to protect human rights and social justice. The threats we face on both fronts are linked at their roots, and we cannot fight for climate justice without fundamental human rights protections for those most impacted...[Refers to Shell]