STATEMENT
Human Rights Council 56th Session.
Item 3 - Interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on
the human rights of internally displaced persons focusing on “Planned relocations of people in the context of the adverse effects of climate change and disasters”.
Statement delivered by Ambassador Tormod Cappelen Endresen on behalf of the Nordic-Baltic Countries (NB8): Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway and Sweden
Check against delivery
21 June 2024
President,
The Nordic-Baltic countries thank the Special Rapporteur for her strong engagement for IDPs and for her latest report.
In order to prevent displacement due to climate change, we need to enhance our efforts on climate adaptation, resilience building and disaster prevention. However, in exceptional situations, relocations become inevitable. To lay the foundation for durable solutions, governments must ensure that relocations are well planned, consistent with human rights standards and based on an integrated approach.
Measures must be taken to protect groups with a special dependency on their lands. Potential barriers and conflicts over land tenure and scarce resources in relocation areas must be addressed. A conducive environment for an inclusive and sustainable livelihood for the relocated population must also be established. Planned relocations might particularly have negative impact on Indigenous Peoples, and specific attention is needed to ensure their rights and cultural identity. Likewise, gender-responsive approaches and recognition of specific vulnerabilities are essential.
We need to better prioritise support to these situations within existing funding mechanisms.
How can best practice be shared to ensure that relocations are conducted without discrimination and in line with human rights safeguards and principles?
Thank you.