NGOs decry Israel’s presence at COP29 in Baku
Dozens of Iran’s non-governmental human rights organizations and NGOs condemned in a joint statement the presence of Israel at the COP29 climate change conference in Azerbaijan’s capital Baku. The NGOs called for international pressure on Israel to adhere to climate justice principles in Palestine and to cease humanitarian and environmental violations. The statement, issued by a coalition of civil society groups, highlighted Israel’s environmental and human rights violations, particularly in the occupied Palestinian territories and Lebanon. The organizations argue that Israel’s actions contradict the fundamental goals of COP29, which aim to address the global climate crisis and uphold environmental justice.
A joint declaration by 21 Iranian NGOs has highlighted three key areas of concern regarding Israel’s actions in Palestinian and Lebanese territories, including environmental damage caused by Israeli military operations, violating international environmental law and the ongoing Gaza blockade, which have created severe environmental and humanitarian crises, breaching international humanitarian law.
They also stressed the need for climate justice for Palestinians, who must have access to natural resources and participate in environmental decision-making processes, with Israel responsible for upholding these rights as the occupying power. The NGOs call on COP29 and international human rights bodies to hold Israel accountable and take immediate action to stop its destructive practices, emphasizing that global climate justice cannot be achieved without addressing these pressing violations.