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Submission to the Canadian Senate's Study on Forced Displacement and Climate Change

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In November 2023, Climate Refugees Founder and Executive Director Amali Tower was invited to appear before the Canadian Senate’s Human Rights Committee as part of its study on Forced Global Displacement, to testify about the impacts of climate change on migration and forced displacement, particularly as it relates to adverse impacts on human rights.

Tower was invited to testify on a panel with other expert witnesses, and to provide a brief opening statement, followed by questions from committee members.

Climate Refugees was also invited to submit written testimony to the Senate of Canada. Together with other Senate Committee witnesses Dr. Camila Bustos, Assistant Professor of Law at the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University and Monica Iyer, Clinical Fellow and Senior Lecturing Fellow, Duke University School of Law, as well as key colleagues working in this field, we have submitted a written brief to the Senate Committee for further consideration.

You can access the brief below.

Press Release: Urgent need to better understand and protect those displaced by climate change, new film highlights

The climate crisis is forcing many to leave their homes—while still others are trapped in place—a reality that places people at risk and will require substantive action by states and other stakeholders, as highlighted by the new short film Forced to Move: A Climate Story from Climate Refugees and The Loss and Damage Collaboration.

Climate Displaced Persons Act Re-Introduced in Congress

Climate Displaced Persons Act Re-Introduced in Congress

In recognition that those displaced by climate change lack adequate protections under US immigration law, and that the US can and should play a key role in advancing climate justice, Senator Ed Markey (Mass.) and Representative Nydia Velázquez (NY-07) have reintroduced the Climate Displaced Persons Act (CDPA) in the US Senate and House of Representatives.

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Joint Call For Action by Humanitarian, Climate and Development Organizations on Loss & Damage Fund

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Joint Call For Action by Humanitarian, Climate and Development Organizations on Loss & Damage Fund

As COP28 approaches, more than 190 signatories from the humanitarian, climate and development sectors are calling for the operationalization of a fit-for-purpose loss & damage fund. The call for action, organized by CAN International and ICVA and which Climate Refugees helped develop and has signed, highlights the importance of cross-sectoral coordination in order to ensure that those experiencing loss and damage as a result of climate change are able to receive the support they need. In particular, the call demands loss & damage financing that is accessible, adequate, additional, and accountable.

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Civil Society Calls For UN Action On Human Rights Violations At International Borders

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Climate Refugees is one of over 200 civil society organizations to sign onto a recent letter to the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) regarding the global phenomenon of deaths, torture and other grave human rights violations faced by people in transit across international borders.

As chilling details continue to emerge regarding the sinking of a ship in Greek waters on 14 June, in which hundreds of migrants lost their lives, it is critical that member and observer states to the HRC take action to address the serious and ongoing violations experienced by migrants at borders, as well as the racism, discrimination, and xenophobia that underpins a failed system of international migration governance.

In recognition that the status-quo is not only ineffective but unjust, the letter calls for the establishment of an independent monitoring mechanism to investigate rights violations and contribute to accountability and redress for victims. Despite the work of Special Rapporteurs and the HRC itself, rights violations at borders continue with impunity.

There is an urgent opportunity for states to position themselves as champions of a more just and humane migration governance system, but it will require a “new and stronger” response from the HRC.

Read the letter (in English) below. Versions in French and Spanish can be found here.