Environmental Defenders and Regional Mechanisms: Asia, Africa and Latin America | Geneva Roadmap 40/11

About this Session

Regional processes and mechanisms are playing a growing and rapidly transforming role for environmental defenders in terms of new standards, collaborative efforts and plans. Yet, how effective are regional mechanisms in supporting and protecting environmental defenders in different parts of the world? What are the lessons in terms of the relevance and effectiveness of regional human rights and environmental protection mechanisms? How can ongoing experiences by civil society organizations and defenders help shape new and strengthened regional approaches? There is wide recognition of the different situations across regions as well as relevant lessons from ongoing initiatives.

As part of the University of Geneva research, studies are being conducted seeking to draw out lessons from regional protection mechanisms in Latin America, Asia and Africa. Building on previous Geneva Roadmap 40/11 efforts in relation to global human rights mechanisms, this series of workshops presented results from the ongoing research initiative spearheaded by the University of Geneva and its partners. As part of the Geneva Roadmap 40/11 Series, it provided a platform for sharing experiences on regional protection mechanisms, with the 5 July workshops specifically addressing mechanisms in Asia, Africa, and the Americas.

Geneva Roadmap 40/11 Series

Five years ago, on 21 March 2019, the Human Rights Council adopted Resolution 40/11 – Recognizing the contribution of environmental human rights defenders to the enjoyment of human rights, environmental protection and sustainable development – without a vote.

Following the adoption of the resolution, platforms, coalitions and networks of defenders met in February 2020 to launch the Geneva Roadmap 40/11 to foster the implementation of this Resolution.

Building on previous Geneva Roadmap 40/11 efforts in relation to global human rights mechanisms, this year’s events organized by the University of Geneva, Earthjustice, the International Service for Human Rights, with the support of the Geneva Environment Network, focused on the protection mechanisms provided at the regional level for environmental defenders.

Speakers

Introduction

Asia

Africa

Americas

Closing

Highlights

Links

• Environmental Human Rights Defenders