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Title | Date added | Template | Original document | Paragraph text | Body | Document type | Thematics | Topic(s) | Person(s) affected | Year |
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Internal displacement in 2010: What are the major challenges? 2010, para. 85h | Aug 19, 2019 | Paragraph | [While the protection of internally displaced persons is the primary responsibility of national authorities, many of the countries most affected by internal displacement have weak State institutions with little capacity to assume this responsibility. The Representative urges all member States to show solidarity with the displaced and other crisis-affected populations and recommends that they:] Ensure that the emerging framework to address climate change deals with the nexus between the effects of climate change and displacement and that the least developed countries are provided with the resources and expertise to address the human consequences of climate change; | Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons
| Special Procedures' report |
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| 2010 | ||
Internal displacement in 2010: What are the major challenges? 2010, para. 41 | Aug 19, 2019 | Paragraph | Natural disasters displace more people than any other cause but their displacement tends to be shorter than conflict or violence-related displacement. The effects of climate change are likely to further increase the numbers of the disaster-displaced. Not only is climate change expected to increase the magnitude and frequency of sudden-onset disasters such as storms or flooding, but it is also likely to exacerbate slow-onset disasters, including droughts, desertification, and rising sea levels, that also force people to move. As a result of the effects of climate change, between 50 and 250 million people may move by the middle of the century on a permanent or temporary basis. Many of them will move voluntarily as part of adaptation strategies of families and communities, yet others will have no other choice but to leave their homes. Most of these displaced will stay within their country as internally displaced persons. | Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons
| Special Procedures' report |
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| 2010 | ||
Internal displacement in 2010: What are the major challenges? 2010, para. 46 | Aug 19, 2019 | Paragraph | The Centre on Housing Rights and Evictions (COHRE), a non-governmental organization, estimates that 1.6 million people were forcibly evicted in 2007 and 2008 - in many cases without consultation, adequate alternatives or compensation and therefore contrary to the Guiding Principles. UN-HABITAT has warned that forced evictions are increasing. Profound socio-economic change in rapidly growing urban centres, increased efforts to exploit natural resources (including renewable sources of energy), and mega-events such as international sporting events are all contributing factors. | Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons
| Special Procedures' report |
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| 2010 | ||
Internal displacement in 2010: What are the major challenges? 2010, para. 73 | Aug 19, 2019 | Paragraph | Arbitrary displacement can also be caused by negligence, especially where authorities fail to exercise their obligation to take all reasonable and necessary measures to protect life, physical integrity, health and property from natural disasters. The Representative notes the growing body of law holding authorities accountable for such failures. The European Court of Human Rights has ordered States to pay compensation for having negligently failed to take appropriate measures to protect people from natural or human-made hazards. The Kampala Convention also stipulates that States parties are liable to make reparation if they fail to protect and assist internally displaced persons in the event of natural disasters. | Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons
| Special Procedures' report |
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| 2010 | ||
Internal displacement in 2010: What are the major challenges? 2010, para. 84a | Aug 19, 2019 | Paragraph | [Millions of people are being newly internally displaced every year as a result of conflict and violence. Disasters displace even more people and the effects of climate change will exacerbate this trend. Development-induced displacement is also on the rise. With international attention focused on camps of internally displaced persons, many other displaced remain invisible, because they stay with host families, are dispersed in urban areas or their existence is officially denied. Some vulnerable groups within the displaced population are also regularly overlooked. Host families and communities are often heavily affected by displacement, but they are often neglected. The Representative urges member States and humanitarian and development actors to expand their scope of action and recommends that they:] Recognize, protect and assist all internally displaced persons in accordance with the Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement, including people displaced by natural and human-made disasters and people evicted in the context of development; | Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons
| Special Procedures' report |
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| 2010 | ||
Internal displacement in 2010: What are the major challenges? 2010, para. 89 | Aug 19, 2019 | Paragraph | The nature of the mandate - situated at the heart of the United Nations system - and its access to many different agencies and offices, in particular all levels of the Inter-Agency Standing Committee, have been key features that have contributed to its effectiveness. It has also proven to be important that the Human Rights Council designated the Representative to mainstream the human rights of internally displaced persons and flagged thematic priorities for him to consider, such as the protection of the displaced in situations of natural disaster or their involvement in peace processes. | Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons
| Special Procedures' report |
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| 2010 | ||
Climate change and internal displacement 2011, para. 33 | Aug 19, 2019 | Paragraph | The above changes in our environment and climate are predicted to increase displacement and to alter its patterns, as people move to locations, predominantly within their own countries, which offer them greater human security and livelihoods. In some instances, for example when planned relocation is unsuccessful or when the spontaneously displaced congregate in urban centres already under pressure, secondary displacements may ensue. Indeed, secondary or cyclical displacements may become a by-product of ineffective adaptation strategies to address original displacement situations, as well as a consequence of the failure to sufficiently plan ahead in areas such as food security, urban planning or resource management - all of which may be put under additional pressure by the effects of climate change. | Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons
| Special Procedures' report |
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| 2011 | ||
Climate change and internal displacement 2011, para. 35 | Aug 19, 2019 | Paragraph | In 2008, the Human Rights Council, in its resolution 7/23, requested OHCHR to undertake a study, in consultation with States and other key stakeholders, on the relationship between climate change and human rights. The study (A/HRC/10/61) provides an overview of the effects of climate change for human rights, including its impact on specific rights, vulnerable groups of persons, forced displacement and conflict, and examines the human rights implications of response measures to climate change. Importantly, it outlines relevant national and international obligations under international human rights law, including those relating to the progressive realization of economic, social and cultural rights and access to information and participation in decision-making. The study concludes that measures to address climate change should be informed and strengthened by international human rights standards and principles. | Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons
| Special Procedures' report |
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| 2011 | ||
Climate change and internal displacement 2011, para. 36 | Aug 19, 2019 | Paragraph | Other actors have also enriched the discussion by focusing on specific rights or the impact of climate change on particular groups. In addition to posing a direct threat to the right to life, the effects of climate change are expected to have negative implications for basic rights relating to food (A/HRC/7/5), housing (A/64/255), water and health, and affect the overall right to an adequate standard of living (A/HRC/10/61, paras. 21-38). Some of these analyses have highlighted the link between the lack of access to these rights and displacement. In the context of climate change, internally displaced persons are also a growing category of persons considered to be especially at risk, given the adverse material, social and psychological consequences commonly associated with displacement. These risks are heightened by the fact that the most serious effects of climate change, including displacement, are predicted to disproportionately affect poor regions and countries and populations already in a vulnerable situation owing to poverty and other factors. | Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons
| Special Procedures' report |
|
| 2011 | ||
Climate change and internal displacement 2011, para. 37 | Aug 19, 2019 | Paragraph | Measures to address these vulnerabilities and meet the challenges related to climate change-induced displacement should be informed and supported by a human rights-based approach which is applied at all phases of displacement and disaster response. The Nansen principles, developed at the Nansen Conference on Climate Change and Displacement (see para. 15 above), underscored the need for such an approach. Principle I states that "responses to climate and environmentally-related displacement need to be informed by adequate knowledge and guided by the fundamental principles of humanity, human dignity, human rights and international cooperation". | Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons
| Special Procedures' report |
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| 2011 | ||
Climate change and internal displacement 2011, para. 100 | Aug 19, 2019 | Paragraph | Increased international support is needed to strengthen local and national capacities and legal frameworks and policies to address displacement resulting from the effects of climate change. This cooperation and assistance, and the full implementation of paragraph 14 (f) of the Cancun Adaptation Framework, will be essential to support States in taking all necessary steps to respect, protect and fulfil the rights of affected persons in accordance with their international human rights obligations. | Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons
| Special Procedures' report |
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| 2011 | ||
Climate change and internal displacement 2011, para. 102 | Aug 19, 2019 | Paragraph | The role of the Inter-agency Standing Committee in addressing and advocating on general humanitarian concerns as well as displacement-specific issues related to climate change is key and should be strengthened, including through the work of its task force on climate change, its participation in key global policy forums such as the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, and technical inputs at the regional, national and subnational levels to build resilience and scale up practical climate change activities and adaptation measures. | Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons
| Special Procedures' report |
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| 2011 | ||
Climate change and internal displacement 2011, para. 19 | Aug 19, 2019 | Paragraph | The importance of displacement, and in particular internal displacement, within the climate change debate is well established and now calls for specific strategies and measures to address it. Already in 1990, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change reported that the greatest single impact of climate change might be on human migration. The Panel estimated that by 2050, 150 million people could be displaced by climate change-related phenomena, such as desertification, increasing water scarcity, floods and storms. Since then, while estimates have varied, it has generally been accepted that the effects of climate change will indeed result in large-scale movements of people, mostly within the boundaries of affected States, and that developing States in the southern hemisphere are likely to be the worst affected. | Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons
| Special Procedures' report |
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| 2011 | ||
Climate change and internal displacement 2011, para. 20 | Aug 19, 2019 | Paragraph | The socio-economic impact of climate change is expected to have significant consequences for the enjoyment of human rights, for the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals and for human security (A/HRC/10/61) In this context, internal displacement represents a further challenge of adaptation to the effects of climate change. In its resolution 64/162 of 18 December 2009, the General Assembly recognized natural disasters as a cause of internal displacement and voiced concern about factors, such as climate change, that were expected to exacerbate the impact of natural hazards, and climate-related slow-onset events. | Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons
| Special Procedures' report |
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| 2011 | ||
Climate change and internal displacement 2011, para. 22 | Aug 19, 2019 | Paragraph | The Conference of the Parties invited all parties to enhance action on adaptation under the Cancun Adaptation Framework, taking into account their common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities, and specific national and regional development priorities, objectives and circumstances, by undertaking, inter alia, measures to enhance understanding, coordination and cooperation with regard to climate change-induced displacement, migration and planned relocation, where appropriate, at national, regional and international levels. | Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons
| Special Procedures' report |
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| 2011 | ||
Climate change and internal displacement 2011, para. 23 | Aug 19, 2019 | Paragraph | The present report aims to explore the linkages between climate change and internal displacement from a human rights perspective. It draws on the 1998 Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement, the core international human rights instruments and the principal climate change frameworks proposed to date. While not exhaustive, it highlights some key principles and concepts necessary to inform the discussion, sheds light on the complexities surrounding the issue and makes a number of recommendations which could serve to orient future work in this area. | Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons
| Special Procedures' report |
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| 2011 | ||
Climate change and internal displacement 2011, para. 24 | Aug 19, 2019 | Paragraph | The scope of the report is limited to internal displacement, in keeping with the parameters of the Special Rapporteur's mandate. Moreover, owing to the close linkages between climate change and the increased frequency and severity of natural disasters, combined with the inherent difficulty of distinguishing between natural disasters provoked by climate change and those unrelated to this phenomenon, the report takes an inclusive approach to the issue. Owing to space limitations, the specific situation of low-lying island States is not addressed, but will be the focus of attention in the Special Rapporteur's report to the Human Rights Council in March 2012 on his visit to Maldives in July 2011. | Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons
| Special Procedures' report |
|
| 2011 | ||
Climate change and internal displacement 2011, para. 26 | Aug 19, 2019 | Paragraph | Two principal strategies to respond to the threats posed by climate change are mitigation and adaptation. Mitigation, in the context of climate change policy, refers to measures which aim to minimize the extent of global warming by reducing emission levels and stabilizing greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere. Climate change adaptation measures are adjustments in natural or human systems in response to actual or expected climatic stimuli or their effects, which moderate harm or exploit beneficial opportunities. Alternatively stated, they are measures that reduce harm and strengthen the capacity of societies and ecosystems to cope with and adapt to climate change risks and impacts. This report explores, in particular, possible adaptation measures specific to climate change-induced displacement. | Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons
| Special Procedures' report |
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| 2011 | ||
Climate change and internal displacement 2011, para. 28 | Aug 19, 2019 | Paragraph | While the effects of climate change are themselves expected to result in displacement, this factor should not be considered in isolation from broader global, regional and national dynamics. As highlighted at an expert workshop organized by UNHCR in 2011, the impact of climate change will interact with a number of global mega-trends such as population growth, rapid urbanization, increased human mobility and food, water and energy insecurity, as well as local and regional factors (pre-existing socio-economic and governance situations), which will potentially affect the magnitude and patterns of displacement as well as possible solutions. | Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons
| Special Procedures' report |
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| 2011 | ||
Climate change and internal displacement 2011, para. 29 | Aug 19, 2019 | Paragraph | Climate change is arguably already acting as "an impact multiplier and accelerator". In addition to its negative impact on social and economic rights, which will itself provoke some displacement, climate change, interacting with other pressures or social and political factors, will exacerbate the risk of conflicts, which could then act as a driver of further displacement. Climate-related displacement is therefore likely to be characterized by multiple causalities, such as conflicts due to competition over resources or the loss of livelihoods. This was more recently highlighted during the Security Council debate of 20 July 2011 on the possible security implications of climate change, in which it was noted that climate change could aggravate or amplify existing security concerns and give rise to new ones, particularly in already fragile and vulnerable nations. It could also sharply intensify human displacement, bringing communities into increasing competition for finite natural resources with global repercussions for global economic stability. | Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons
| Special Procedures' report |
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| 2011 | ||
Climate change and internal displacement 2011, para. 32b | Aug 19, 2019 | Paragraph | Higher temperatures in water and air, and increasing acidity of seas; | Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons
| Special Procedures' report |
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| 2011 | ||
Climate change and internal displacement 2011, para. 41 | Aug 19, 2019 | Paragraph | The Guiding Principles have also served as a basis for developing further operational guidance, such as the revised Operational Guidelines on the Protection of Persons in Situations of Natural Disasters (A/HRC/16/43/Add.5) and the Framework on Durable Solutions for Internally Displaced Persons (A/HRC/13/21/Add.4), both adopted by the Inter-Agency Standing Committee. The former, in particular, represent progress in the application of a human rights-based approach to situations of natural disasters - situations closely related to climate change given the increased frequency of climate-related disasters. In addition to applying in different contexts, the Guiding Principles provide specific standards of assistance and protection at all stages of displacement, including in the prevention of displacement, during the displacement phase itself and in the search for durable solutions. | Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons
| Special Procedures' report |
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| 2011 | ||
Climate change and internal displacement 2011, para. 42 | Aug 19, 2019 | Paragraph | The Guiding Principles have further paved the way for a new regional treaty, the African Union Convention for the Protection and Assistance of Internally Displaced Persons in Africa (Kampala Convention). Adopted in 2009, the Convention is the first legally binding instrument specifically on the protection of internally displaced persons. Article 5(4) specifically requires that measures be taken to protect and assist people who have been internally displaced by natural or human-made disasters, including those triggered by climate change. Moreover, as stated in article 2 (a), it is a particular objective of the Convention to prevent, mitigate, prohibit and eliminate the root causes of internal displacement. This requirement of prevention and mitigation is further detailed in article 4(2), which obligates parties to develop an early warning system in areas of potential displacement, disaster risk reduction strategies and emergency management measures, in addition to providing protection and assistance if necessary. | Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons
| Special Procedures' report |
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| 2011 | ||
Climate change and internal displacement 2011, para. 43 | Aug 19, 2019 | Paragraph | Other regional instruments, such as the Protocol on Protection and Assistance to Internally Displaced Persons, which implements the Guiding Principles, and the 2005 Agreement on Disaster Management and Emergency Response of the Association of South East Asian Nations, provide further legal and policy frameworks to address displacement, including climate change-induced displacement, at the regional level. They could also potentially provide the basis for regional operational mechanisms for the coordination of humanitarian assistance, displacement-related adaptation schemes and the channelling of climate change adaptation funding. | Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons
| Special Procedures' report |
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| 2011 | ||
Climate change and internal displacement 2011, para. 44 | Aug 19, 2019 | Paragraph | At the national level, the Guiding Principles are being increasingly used by many countries to develop their domestic laws and policies (see A/HRC/13/21, para. 15, and General Assembly resolution 64/162, paras. 10 and 13). The Nansen Principles (see para. 37 above) recognize the importance of the Guiding Principles in addressing climate change-induced internal displacement at the national level. Principle VIII states: "The Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement provide a sound legal framework to address protection concerns arising from climate and other environmentally-related internal displacement. States are encouraged to ensure the adequate implementation and operationalization of these principles through national legislation, policies and institutions." | Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons
| Special Procedures' report |
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| 2011 | ||
Climate change and internal displacement 2011, para. 45 | Aug 19, 2019 | Paragraph | In the context of climate change-induced internal displacement and the increased frequency of related natural disasters, it is now more important than ever that national legislation fully include provisions for these situations, and not just for situations of conflict-related displacement. In this regard, the Cancun Adaptation Framework specifically urges all parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change to "strengthen and, where necessary, establish and/or designate national-level institutional arrangements, with a view to enhancing work on the full range of adaptation actions [including displacement-related adaptation measures], from planning to implementation" (FCCC/CP/2010/7/Add.1, decision 1/CP.16, para. 32). | Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons
| Special Procedures' report |
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| 2011 | ||
Climate change and internal displacement 2011, para. 46 | Aug 19, 2019 | Paragraph | The present section focuses on adaptation strategies which relate to disaster management, prevention and durable solutions, rather than humanitarian assistance during the displacement phase itself. Effective responses to the human rights challenges related to climate change-induced internal displacement will require the international community to move beyond the traditional humanitarian assistance and reactive governance models. As suggested by principles IV and V of the Nansen principles, addressing internal displacement in the context of climate change is likely to demand greater focus on foresight, reliable data and monitoring systems, as well as the positive obligations of prevention, resilience building and durable solutions. | Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons
| Special Procedures' report |
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| 2011 | ||
Climate change and internal displacement 2011, para. 47 | Aug 19, 2019 | Paragraph | Disaster risk reduction is defined as "the conceptual framework of elements considered with the possibility to minimize vulnerabilities and disaster risks throughout society, to avoid (prevention) or to limit (mitigation and preparedness) the adverse impacts of hazards, within the broad context of sustainable development". Stated differently, disaster risk reduction seeks to address the underlying risk factors in order to reduce avoidable loss of life, as well as loss of property and livelihoods - many of which affect internally displaced persons directly. With this aim in mind, the World Conference on Disaster Reduction, held in Hyogo, Japan from 18 to 22 January 2005, adopted a 10-year plan which was signed by 168 States Members of the United Nations. | Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons
| Special Procedures' report |
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| 2011 | ||
Climate change and internal displacement 2011, para. 48 | Aug 19, 2019 | Paragraph | In the face of the increased frequency and intensity of natural hazards, governments have a responsibility to take reasonable preventive action to reduce exposure, minimize vulnerabilities and avoid or limit the adverse impact of hazards. As highlighted by the General Assembly in its resolution 64/142, the consequences of hazards can be prevented or substantially mitigated by disaster risk reduction strategies, which, it suggested, should be integrated into national development policies and programmes. Strategies may include physical infrastructures, but also measures to build national and local humanitarian response and disaster management systems, establish participation mechanisms and strengthen the resilience of affected persons and early recovery capacities. | Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons
| Special Procedures' report |
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| 2011 | ||
Climate change and internal displacement 2011, para. 52 | Aug 19, 2019 | Paragraph | Guiding Principle 7(1) provides that "prior to any decision requiring the displacement of persons, the authorities concerned shall ensure that all feasible alternatives are explored in order to avoid displacement altogether" and that " where no alternatives exist, all measures shall be taken to minimize displacement and its adverse effects". Adaptation strategies related to potential displacement should, therefore, also include investments and measures to avoid and minimize such displacements, where that is feasible. | Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons
| Special Procedures' report |
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| 2011 |