Adverse impacts of climate change has directly and indirectly threatened a range of human rights throughout the world.

These include the rights to life, water and sanitation, food, health, housing, self-determination, culture and development.

UN Rights Regional Representative, Dr. Chitralekha Messey says human rights should be at the centre of development-based eviction, relocation and displacement induced by climate change and natural disasters.

She adds a sunrise initiative has been planned for the 16th of this month, aimed at raising awareness and sensitizing stakeholders on the relevance of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

” In the Pacific today, the biggest challenge we face is climate change. And through this event, we want to say that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is very relevant to every aspect of our lives. But in the face of an existential threat like climate change, this becomes even more pertinent."

Dr. Messey adds that climate change and small changes in sea level are having a dramatic impact on small island developing states and efforts to achieve sustainable development.

Meanwhile, with 2018 being the 70th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, major celebrations are in the pipeline for the Pacific from 16th November.

The theme of the year-long celebration is “The sun rising on the next seven decades for human rights.”