Fiji has urged the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to champion the cause of justice for communities vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. The nation asserts that the countries most responsible for the climate crisis must be held accountable and should compensate those suffering from its effects.
During a presentation to the ICJ this week, Attorney General Graham Leung stressed that climate change threatens fundamental human rights. He, along with Fiji’s Ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva, Luke Daunivalu, highlighted the serious consequences that climate change has already inflicted upon Fijian communities, including forced relocations from ancestral lands.
Ambassador Daunivalu expressed the stark reality of displacement, stating, “Entire villages have been uprooted from their traditional lands and moved to new locations, forcing whole communities to change their way of life.” He called upon the Court to hold accountable those who have contributed to the climate crisis, emphasizing the need for those responsible to intervene and address its repercussions.
Attorney General Leung articulated Fiji’s legal stance, emphasizing that international law mandates countries to avoid causing significant harm beyond their borders. He posed a pressing question to the Court: “Is it just that our people are forced to abandon their ancestral lands and heritage because of the inaction of those most responsible for climate change?” He advocated for a declaration that inaction on climate change constitutes a violation of international law and called for an emphasis on protecting human rights while ensuring a sustainable future.
Leung concluded with a strong plea for urgent action, reinforced by the undeniable impacts of climate change, calling on the ICJ for legal clarity in what he considers a critical matter of human survival.
The oral hearings at the ICJ are set to continue next week, featuring participation from 98 nations and 12 intergovernmental organizations, including the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) and the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS). This unprecedented level of involvement marks a significant moment in the Court’s history regarding climate justice. The ICJ is expected to review all submitted materials and provide its advisory opinion in the first half of 2025.
In summary, Fiji’s engagement with the ICJ represents a crucial step toward recognizing the human rights implications of climate change, holding responsible parties accountable, and fostering global dialogue on this pressing issue. This initiative not only highlights the plight of vulnerable communities but also underscores an important movement towards collective action and responsibility on an international scale.
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