During the Human Rights Council 48th Session (13 September – 8 October 2020) the Children’s Environmental Rights Initiative (CERI) and Child Rights Connect delivered a message to the Human Rights Council Permanent Missions bringing attention to the over 144,000 children, young people and allies from 144 countries that signed the My Planet My Rights petition calling on governments to universally recognize the right to a healthy environment.
To all Diplomatic Representatives to the UN Human Rights Council
21 September 2021, Geneva
Excellencies,
On the occasion of the 2020 Annual Full-Day Meeting of the Human Rights Council on the Rights of the Child, 40 organizations and distinguished experts issued a Joint Call for Action that highlights the recognition of the right to a healthy environment as a step of particular relevance for children.
We are now writing to inform you that over 144,000 children, young people and allies from around the world have signed a petition calling for universal recognition of the right to a healthy environment. This call is a part of the My Planet, My Rights Campaign -a mobilisation of children, young people and allies, advocating for their right to a healthy environment. Alongside the petition, the campaign has initiated local-level environmental projects in nearly 40 countries, launched a global digital art gallery and co-organized a Tweetstorm ahead of the 46th Human Rights Council Session.
The widespread demand for the right to a healthy environment, especially among children and young people, is loud and clear. We call on you to support the resolution for universal recognition of this right at the 48th Session of the Human Rights Council. We invite you to make this endorsement public to encourage other States to join you.
Millions of children and youth across the world are demanding more urgent and ambitious action to tackle the root causes and impacts of the global environmental crisis. The global recognition of the right to a healthy environment would be a powerful step towards addressing this crisis, strengthening accountability and establishing a common standard of achievement for governments to ensure a sustainable world for all. The time is Now.
Kind regards,
Children’s Environmental Rights Initiative
Terre des Hommes
