GENEVA: Chairperson of the National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) and President of the Global Alliance of National Human Rights (GANHRI) HE Maryam bint Abdullah Al Attiyah considered climate change as an exigent menace that poses a threat to both human life and the full enjoyment of the fundamental human rights, underscoring that such thing puts climate change on the top priorities of GANHRI and its members in various territories.

During the opening of the side event organized by GANHRI at the UN palace on the sidelines of the 51st session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC) under the title: 'Climate Change, Human Rights and Role of National Human Rights Institutions', Al Attiyah stated that the national institutions of human rights have played a pivotal role over many years until this day in dealing with climate change on the routine agenda.

She said that the participants are sharing some experiences of the national institutions and their mechanisms by highlighting their vital role in addressing this exigent threat, especially pertaining to lending the governments the essential counseling on the climatic measures that set human rights at the core of their orientations, and cooperate with the groups and the most vulnerable people to protect their rights due to climate change, monitor and report on the impacts of climate change on human rights, engage in climate justice and hold those responsible accountable.

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She pointed out that GANHRI is a global network for the national institutions for human rights that operates closely with the regional networks of the national institutions for human rights, partners in the united nations and civil society to further support the members in various territories to apply their mandate and help ensure the existence of human rights as a central theme in the enforcement of the entire measures relevant to climate at the local, regional and international levels. 

She noted that GANHRI is preparing for engagement as an observer in the UN climate change conference (COP27), which is set to convene in Egypt, by focusing on the role of national institutions for human rights in promoting the assiduous and comprehensive engagement in the climate change process in partnership with UN partners and the special rapporteur on climate change.

HE Chairperson revealed that GANHRI had submitted a request to UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to participate in the conference as an observer, pointing out that HRC is poised to consider and discuss a decision related to the role of national human rights institutions in dealing with human rights in the context of climate change submitted by Australia.

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