Geneva: The fundamental right to protest is under assault in historically democratic countries, a UN expert warns, as environmental protesters are facing increasing hostility throughout Europe.
The UN Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders working on environmental issues, Michel Forst, expressed grave worry about the growing persecution of climate activists in nations such as Austria, Germany, Britain, France, and Austria.
Forst asserts that inciting language has been used by government representatives to refer to nonviolent protestors as “eco-terrorists” and “Green Talibans.” He goes on to accuse specific media organizations of stoking popular disapproval of environmental movement.
Holly Valance Calls Greta Thunberg a ‘demonic little gremlin’ and slams Australia
“This creates a chilling effect,” Forst, an impartial expert designated by the United Nations under the Aarhus Convention, a legal agreement that ensures public involvement in environmental decision-making, said.
Forst said, “In Europe, the right to protest is currently in jeopardy.” He went on to say that accusations of activist treatment that might have violated the Aarhus Convention and international human rights law had motivated recent trips to numerous European countries. Also, he openly voiced his concern about the “toxic discourse” and “increasingly severe crackdown” on environmental protesters after returning from a trip to Britain.
Forst attacked “regressive laws” in particular, which used in Britain to penalize climate campaigners severely. He gave examples of activists who sentenced to six months in jail for peaceful slow marches that stopped traffic for thirty minutes; one activist in the UK given a 27-month prison sentence. The report also criticized Germany and other European nations for their severe sentencing practices.
