UN Recognizes Right to Asylum on Climate Grounds

The UN Human Rights Committee has formally recognized the right to asylum based on dangers resulting from climate change. The basis for this resolution is a complaint filed by a citizen of Kiribati.

On Tuesday, January 21st, the UN Human Rights Committee released the results of its review of a complaint filed by a citizen of Kiribati, one of the Caribbean islands.

The man had filed a complaint with the Human Rights Committee against the New Zealand government for rejecting his family’s asylum request. The family’s reason for fleeing the tiny island was stated as rising ocean levels, disappearance of agricultural land, and the possibility of the entire island’s destruction.

Kiribati is a former British colony with a population of 120,000 and consists of several very small islands with a total area of 800 square kilometers.

After extensive investigation, the UN Human Rights Committee concluded that in case of serious danger from the ocean, there are sufficient facilities to save the lives of the island’s residents, and for this reason rejected the complaint of the plaintiff. However, at the same time, it concluded that dangers arising from climate change should be formally recognized as sufficient grounds for becoming a refugee.

Easier Processing of “Climate Refugee” Cases

The German news agency reported, citing Yuval Shany, one of the experts of the Human Rights Committee, that this decision sets new criteria for asylum grounds.

Accordingly, in cases where asylum requests are made due to consequences arising from climate change, immigration case reviewers will have greater discretion in formally recognizing individuals’ asylum requests.

The UN Human Rights Committee oversees the “International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.” This covenant has been signed by 172 countries.

116 member countries have formally recognized the right of individuals to file complaints against state institutions. These countries are obligated to comply with the requirements of the Human Rights Committee.

Source: DW