Submission to the Canadian Senate's Study on Forced Displacement and Climate Change

In November 2023, Climate Refugees Founder and Executive Director Amali Tower was invited to appear before the Canadian Senate’s Human Rights Committee as part of its study on Forced Global Displacement, to testify about the impacts of climate change on migration and forced displacement, particularly as it relates to adverse impacts on human rights.

Tower was invited to testify on a panel with other expert witnesses, and to provide a brief opening statement, followed by questions from committee members.

Climate Refugees was also invited to submit written testimony to the Senate of Canada. Together with other Senate Committee witnesses Dr. Camila Bustos, Assistant Professor of Law at the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University and Monica Iyer, Clinical Fellow and Senior Lecturing Fellow, Duke University School of Law, as well as key colleagues working in this field, we have submitted a written brief to the Senate Committee for further consideration.

You can access the brief below.

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Civil Society Calls For UN Action On Human Rights Violations At International Borders

Climate Refugees is one of over 200 civil society organizations to sign onto a recent letter to the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) regarding the global phenomenon of deaths, torture and other grave human rights violations faced by people in transit across international borders.

As chilling details continue to emerge regarding the sinking of a ship in Greek waters on 14 June, in which hundreds of migrants lost their lives, it is critical that member and observer states to the HRC take action to address the serious and ongoing violations experienced by migrants at borders, as well as the racism, discrimination, and xenophobia that underpins a failed system of international migration governance.

In recognition that the status-quo is not only ineffective but unjust, the letter calls for the establishment of an independent monitoring mechanism to investigate rights violations and contribute to accountability and redress for victims. Despite the work of Special Rapporteurs and the HRC itself, rights violations at borders continue with impunity.

There is an urgent opportunity for states to position themselves as champions of a more just and humane migration governance system, but it will require a “new and stronger” response from the HRC.

Read the letter (in English) below. Versions in French and Spanish can be found here.

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Leaders of Refugee Organizations Call on White House to Resettle Climate Displaced Persons

Climate Refugees’ founder and executive director was amongst 14 leaders of refugee and policy organizations that sent a letter to the Biden Administration on September 8, calling on President Biden to create refugee resettlement pathways for climate displaced populations. The letter comes ahead of the administration’s annual report to Congress on proposed refugee admissions for the next fiscal year.

The letter asks that the administration create a group resettlement category - Priority 2 - for three distinct refugee populations currently affected by climate impacts: persecuted Hondurans and Guatemalans affected by hurricanes and droughts; South Sudanese and Ethiopians in Sudan; and Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh.

“Climate change is exacerbating existing humanitarian crises around the world. In some cases, those already awaiting or who are qualified for resettlement are at increased risk from climate impacts,” the leaders pointed out in the letter.

Priority 2 status is an option within the US Refugee Admissions Program that allows the designation of a ‘group’ for resettlement for persons who share similar characteristics or situations of concern. As set out in the President’s February 2021 executive order on strengthening global protection for people displaced by climate change, P-2 group resettlement would be one of several policy options the administration could pursue to better protect climate displaced persons, and would distinguish the United States as the first country in the world to lead and implement such humane and necessary measures.

Read the letter and see the full list of signatories below.

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Letter Urging White House Admit Climate Displaced Persons

Climate Refugees joined 75 legal experts and scholars, requesting the Biden Administration use the powers Congress has already delegated it to offer protection, admission and stay to those fleeing the effects of climate change worldwide.

The letter, convened by the Masa Group, can be accessed below. It includes recommendations to address climate displaced persons that fall within executive authority.