Protests in Paris Against Hosting COP 28 in the UAE News
International activists protested in Paris against the United Arab Emirates hosting the United Nations Climate Change Conference COP 28, scheduled in the UAE at the end of this year.
During the protest near the iconic Eiffel Tower in Paris, activists demanded the boycott of COP 28 in the UAE and sent a strong message regarding Abu Dhabi’s dark record.
The protesters emphasised that the UAE is not fit to host the international event due to its severe suppression of human rights, freedoms, civil society, direct and egregious involvement in environmental violations and failure to protect the environment.
The activists also highlighted Abu Dhabi’s opposition to host the summit, as they only seek a rapid and gradual phase-out of fossil fuels, while COP 28 aims for a swift and comprehensive elimination of all forms of fossil fuels while safeguarding against rapid and escalating climate change.
The protesters stressed that COP 28 must be a forum where civil society can freely and fearlessly participate, and where affected communities can exchange experiences and contribute to policy-making without intimidation. The right to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly must be respected during the summit.
Just ten days ago, international climate activists staged protests in the Belgian capital, Brussels, calling for a boycott of COP 28 in the UAE.
The activists set up a protest camp in front of the European Parliament in Brussels, condemning Abu Dhabi’s black record in environmental pollution, human rights violations, corruption, and money laundering.
The event saw significant participation from environmental activists and social influencers, as well as Members of the European Parliament Mick Wallace and Clare Daly, garnering widespread media attention.
The protesters raised slogans calling for an official and private-wide boycott of COP 28 in the UAE, considering Abu Dhabi’s contradictory stance on climate change issues, especially its opposition to phasing out fossil fuels.
In their climate protest movements, activists highlighted fundamental risks to human rights in the UAE, which could jeopardize the success of the COP 28 summit, including the suppression of freedom of expression, the closure of civil space, and the dangers of digital surveillance.
The activists also pointed out the UAE’s record of human rights violations, including the suppression of freedom of expression and opinion and the crushing of civil society’s independence, as well as the detention of dozens of peaceful opposition figures and human rights defenders.
Civil society, the right to freedom of expression, and the right to form or join associations and peaceful assembly are essential elements necessary for the success of any conference, yet they are noticeably absent in the UAE.
Emirati law prohibits criticism of the “state or rulers of the UAE” and imposes penalties, including life imprisonment or the death penalty, for association with any group opposing the “system of governance” or vague “crimes” such as “harming national unity” or “state interests.”
The UAE government has long been known for its digital surveillance of human rights defenders and other critics
