Demonstrators at COP27 call for climate justice and respect of human rights

Annachiara Canetta

Middle East and Human Rights Researcher 

Global Human Rights Defence

The largest demonstration since the start of COP27 happened last Saturday (November 12th), despite Egypt’s restrictions on protests during the event. The protest was smaller in number as compared to previous COP meetings, but it was still remarkable considering the restrictions. Demonstrators gathered in the Blue Zone, the area considered as UN territory, therefore subject to international law. [1]

Different demands were presented during the rally, both concerning climate justice and human rights. One central issue addressed was that of reparations of loss and damage which wealthy countries are asked to pay: financing to help more vulnerable countries to pay for climate-related harms. [2] 

Another major point addressed at the conference was that of Alaa Abd el-Fattah, a pro-democracy activist during 2011 Egypt uprising who has been a political prisoner in jail since 2015. [3] His sister, Sanaa Seif, led the protest, holding a banner saying “You have not yet been defeated”, the title of Abd el-Fattah’s book. [4] During the demonstration she stated there “can be no climate justice without human rights” [5]: a reminder for the world and local leaders of the indivisibility of the two.

Sources and further reading:

[1] Gross, J. (2022, November 12). U.N. Climate Summit Leads to a Rarity in Egypt: Open Protest. New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/12/climate/cop27-protests-egypt.html  

[2]  COP27 protesters call for climate reparations, human rights. (2022, November 12). Climate Crisis News | Al Jazeera. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/11/12/climate-protests-at-cop27-rally-behind-hunger-strikers-sister 

[3] COP27 protesters call for climate reparations, human rights. (2022, November 12). Climate Crisis News | Al Jazeera. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/11/12/climate-protests-at-cop27-rally-behind-hunger-strikers-sister 

[4] Le Monde. (2022, November 12). Hundreds march behind Egyptian hunger striker’s sister at COP27. Le Monde.France. https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2022/11/12/hundreds-march-behind-egyptian-hunger-striker-s-sister-at-cop27_6004017_4.html 

[5] Frost, R. (2022, November 13). Hundreds of people march through UN climate conference in first big protest at COP27. Euronews. https://www.euronews.com/green/2022/11/12/hundreds-of-people-march-through-un-climate-conference-in-first-big-protest-at-cop27