The European court of human rights has ordered 33 European governments to respond to a crowdfunded landmark climate lawsuit filed by six youth campaigners. “If the activists win their case, the countries would be legally bound to cut emissions in line with the requirements of the 2015 Paris accord. They would also have to address their role in overseas emissions, including by their multinational companies.” - The Associated Press “The plaintiffs – four children and two young adults from Portugal – argue tougher climate action is needed to safeguard their future physical and mental wellbeing, to prevent discrimination against the young and protect their rights to exercise outdoors and live without anxiety (…) Four of the plaintiffs are from Leiria, one of the worst-hit areas. The two other applicants live in Lisbon, which sweltered through record-breaking 44ºC heat in 2018.” - The Guardian Twelve-year-old André Oliveira, one of the youth applicants, said in a statement: "It's not about finger-pointing, but all about giving all these 33 governments a chance to act better and faster” - DW “It gives me lots of hope to know that the judges in the European court of human rights recognise the urgency of our case. But what I’d like the most would be for European governments to immediately do what the scientists say is necessary to protect our future. Until they do this, we will keep on fighting with more determination than ever”. - The Guardian He hopes the case will bring "acknowledgement of the voice of a generation that lives with high anxiety and increasing fear of incoming catastrophes, but also a generation that has all the hope that things will change." - DW “The group is supported by the Global Legal Action Network, a international nonprofit organization that challenges human rights violations, and a team of five London lawyers. (…) The court’s decision to demand a swift response from the defendant countries is “highly significant,” said GLAN’s director, because “only a tiny minority of cases” merit such treatment. (…) The court will attempt to broker an amicable agreement in the case before it proceeds to litigation.” - The Associated Press The case was filled in September last year, initiated three years ago and the targeted countries are the EU27 plus Norway, Russia, Switzerland, the UK, Turkey and Ukraine. The defendants have until 27th May to respond to the case. “More than 1,300 climate-related lawsuits have been filed worldwide since 1990.” - The Guardian Patrícia Pereira and António Telo
Learn more about the case at its webpage: https://youth4climatejustice.org
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