Fiji is urging the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to lend its support in pursuing justice for communities endangered by climate change. The country argues that the negative impacts of climate change infringe upon basic human rights and calls for accountability from those nations that have significantly contributed to the crisis.
During a presentation to the ICJ, Attorney General Graham Leung underscored this sentiment, highlighting that those responsible for the climate crisis should be held financially liable for the resulting damages. Accompanying Leung was Luke Daunivalu, Fiji’s Ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva, who articulated the severe ramifications of climate change on Fiji. He detailed the loss and damage the island nation has already endured and discussed ongoing efforts to bolster resilience against these challenges.
Ambassador Daunivalu emphasized the harsh reality of climate-induced displacement, noting that entire villages have been forced to leave their ancestral homelands, significantly altering their way of life. He called on the Court to ensure accountability for those complicit in the crisis, asserting that it is vital for those responsible to address both its causes and its consequences.
Leung presented legal arguments emphasizing the grave threat climate change poses and the obligations of nations under international law to mitigate its impacts. He questioned the morality of forcing communities to abandon their heritage due to the negligence of the most significant contributors to climate change and stressed that the ICJ is arguably one of the few avenues for achieving justice regarding these serious human rights violations.
In his conclusion, Leung remarked on the urgency of the situation, stating, “The impacts of climate change are undeniable, and the science is irrefutable.” He held out hope that the ICJ could provide the legal clarity needed on such a crucial survival issue.
The oral hearings are set to continue next week, with 98 countries and 12 intergovernmental organizations participating, making it a historic moment for the ICJ. The court is expected to review all submitted materials and will issue an advisory opinion in the first half of 2025.
This call to the ICJ marks a significant step in the ongoing struggle against climate change, highlighting the collaborative international efforts needed to secure justice for vulnerable communities worldwide. The overwhelming participation from various countries underscores a growing global recognition of the need for urgent action against climate change and its far-reaching effects on human rights and livelihoods.
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