communications, Author at Franciscans International

“They didn’t come here to finance the schools, the roads, or the clinics. They only came here to take the logs and go. They won’t even keep the promises you made with them,” says Andrew Thada, a member of the Anglican Society of Saint Francis. As a traditional leader in the Solomon Islands, he is affectionately known as “Brother Suicide” in his community due to his habit of picking fights with the authorities. In recent years, this meant opposing the logging companies that are operating in the hills near his village on Guadalcanal.

“Before if you planted food, you would enjoy it growing: the wild pigs wouldn’t come down from the forest and eat it. The fish in the river, before you could dive in and catch them. Now you can’t take anything from the river,” he explains. “Even the vines that we use to tie our leaf houses have disappeared because the machines destroyed them all. So that’s the difference between before and now – before, we enjoyed everything in the bush. Now, no.”

Large-scale industrial logging has affected all aspects of life for communities living near the harvesting sites in the Solomon Islands. As the forests disappear, so do traditional sources of food and medicinal herbs. The heavy equipment shipped to cut down the ancient trees has introduced invasive species that are now devastating crops. Disputes over land ownership and a sudden influx of money fuel conflicts between neighbors. Young women and girls have fallen victim to trafficking and exploitation by foreign loggers looking for companionship.

However, perhaps the most profound impact has been on the water. As Pacific islanders, the people of Guadalcanal have a deep connection to water – both to the salt waters that surround them and the freshwater that sustains them. The Solomon Islands are now facing a situation where freshwater supplies are dwindling while rising sea levels threaten to engulf communities. Logging is exacerbating both problems.

These consequences were also felt deeply by the brothers of the Society of Saint Francis, who often saw these problems happening to their own families and friends. “People like telling stories. So even without asking, ‘What is the situation with logging here?’, we began hearing stories. From there, we continued to have those conversations and try to help them,” says Brother Worrick Marako SSF, the Minister Provincial of the Solomon Islands. “Through my observations, I’ve seen many struggles in the places where logging is happening. But even from the places I never visited, I still hear the same complaints.”

The brothers approached the Anglican Sisters of the Church and the Catholic Dominicans to expand their reach and to start documenting the harm caused by logging together. They took their findings to the authorities, but the reality is that most timber is not used domestically. After the trees are cut down, they are immediately taken to the shores and loaded on barges to be shipped abroad. Because the Solomon Islands is only the first link in a large, global production chain, they decided to take their case to the international community.

In 2020, with the help of Franciscans International and the Dominicans for Justice and Peace, they submitted their findings in a report to the Universal Periodic Review, a UN mechanism through which the Member States examine each other’s human rights records on a rotating basis. When this happens, the UN also looks at the information that is provided from the grassroots by civil society organizations including Franciscans International. In part based on this, countries offer each other recommendations and support to address human rights challenges. To make sure that the findings in their report were heard, the Sisters and Brothers spoke to 16 different embassies in the Solomon Islands while FI lobbied diplomats at the UN in Geneva.

This joint report clearly laid out the destructive cycle through which logging affects all water resources in and around the Solomon Islands. Often entire hillsides will be destroyed to extract just a few large trees. The rest of the wood is used to construct slipways to transport the trees. These are routinely doused in diesel oil, which pollutes the ground and freshwater supplies. In many villages, parents report that their children started suffering from skin rashes after swimming in the rivers and creeks. Within a few years, the polluted soil also becomes infertile and starts to erode.

“The law says logging should happen at least twelve meters from the streams, but the loggers come in closer,” says Brother Andrew. “When a company moves into an area, all the small streams that come into the big rivers are blocked. And then come the floods.” With the natural irrigation channels clogged up, flash floods have become more common during the rainy seasons, washing away roads, bridges, and buildings alike.

From the hills, it is only a short way to the sea. After polluting the streams and drinking water, the erosion causes sedimentation of coral reefs near the coast, killing off the fish populations that people have relied on as a source of food for centuries. The barges used to collect the timber further damage the corals. As the reefs disappear, so does the protection they offer from the pounding of the ocean waves, adding to the problems of sea levels that are rising due to global warming.

At the end of its 2021 review, the government accepted several recommendations related to logging – essentially promising in front of the international community that it would try to address these problems in the next five years. After that, the Solomon Islands will undergo another Universal Periodic Review. For the Franciscan brothers and their allies, these outcomes are important because they now have concrete benchmarks that they can use to approach authorities to demand action and accountability.

In October 2022, the Franciscans and Dominicans decided to visit some of the communities to assess if the commitments made were indeed implemented. During a series of focus group interviews, where they talked to community leaders, women, and youth, they found that little had been done. Not only was the government falling behind, but the logging companies themselves had broken many of the promises they made to communities when they moved into the area.

Based on their findings, they produced another publication that identified not just the most common problems in each village, but also linked these back directly to the promises made by the government at the UN. Combining the insights gained from these conversations, they also put together concrete and immediate steps that authorities can take. With this, they are again lobbying the leaders in the Solomon Islands to act, including by presenting the report to the governor-general.

To ensure that the affected communities can benefit from the report as well, the Franciscans also translated it into the local Pijin language. Meanwhile, the brothers have started to integrate awareness raising about the impacts of logging. Every year, they spend several months visiting communities across the different islands. Through creative means like theatre, they teach people about their rights to stand up to the logging companies.

“After many years, I feel that people still have hope for the generations to come, even though rivers are drying up and climate is becoming hot. Many have already become educated and know the effects of climate change, logging, mining – everything,” says Brother Worrick. “So, it is my hope that in the future people will begin to make the right decisions.”

You can find all our statements delivered during this session below as they become available. Our past advocacy interventions are available here.

Item 10: General Debate – the Philippines (3 April)

As the UN Joint Programme on Human Rights (UNJP) is nearing its conclusion later this year, we called attention to the ongoing extrajudicial killings in the Philippines. Considering the prevailing impunity in the country, we urged the Council to mandate the High Commissioner for Human Rights to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the UNJP. In the absence of such a resolution, we asked all Member States to join our call on the Office of the High Commissioner to undertake this assessment on its own initiative.

• Full statement (English)

Item 4: General Debate – United Kingdom (21 March)

In the first statement delivered under our new Europe program, we expressed our concerns over the United Kingdom’s failure to fulfill its international legal obligations while highlighting issues with the Safety of Rwanda Bill and the Illegal Migration Act. Similarly, the 2024 Northern Ireland Troubles Act was found to be incompatible with five aspects of the European Convention on Human Rights and the Windsor Agreement. While we welcomed the government abandoning plans to abolish the Human Rights Act, we reiterated that all States must fully implement their international human rights obligations.

• Full statement (English)

Item 3: General Debate – Business and human rights (15 March)

In a joint statement, we reemphasized the urgent need for a binding UN instrument aimed at preventing and providing accountability for human rights violations by corporations. Although we are encouraged by some of the progress made during the ongoing negotiations toward such a treaty, we remain concerned that the new draft text weakens the obligation of businesses to respect human rights. Meanwhile, we continue to see signs of the corporate capture of UN Processes. During the Council, we called on all governments, especially those in the Global North where most transnational corporations are headquartered, to support a strong, legally binding treaty that can set a floor for regulating corporations in a way that is in line with human rights and gender justice.

• Full statement (English)

Item 3: Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on freedom of peaceful assembly and association – Indonesia (7 March)

Franciscans International called attention to the continued use of excessive force, arbitrary arrests, harassment, intimidation, and threats against Indigenous Papuan activists in the context of peaceful protests. More generally, civic space in West Papua continues to shrink. For example, recently the military has put up public billboards displaying the names of Indigenous Papuans on a wanted list in an attempt to muzzle peaceful gatherings. We urged the Indonesian government to uphold international standards on the use of force during peaceful protests and called for an impartial investigation into several incidents raised in our joint statement.

• Full statement (English)

Item 3: Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on human rights and the environment (6 March)

Franciscans International expressed its gratitude to the outgoing Special Rapporteur for his efforts and willingness to engage with civil society during his tenure. Highlighting the negative impacts of business activities on the environment and the role of environmental degradation in fuelling violent conflict, we expressed our hope that these issues will be taken up again by the next mandate holder.

• Full statement (English)

Item 2: General Debate – Sri Lanka (4 March)

On 21 April, it will be five years since 273 people were killed during the Easter Sunday bombings. Yet much about that day remains unclear. Repeated requests for a transparent, independent, and fair investigation into the attacks have been denied by the government, while new evidence was brushed aside. With authorities introducing new laws further curtailing media freedom, we raised our concerns about the failure of meaningful accountability processes in Sri Lanka and called on the Council to insist on a transparent investigation into these matters.

• Full statement (English)

Item 2: General Debate – Guatemala (1 March)

Despite a new administration taking power in January, the co-optation of the Guatemalan judicial system is still a major concern. Critical voices continue to be targeted and criminalized, with civil society organizations documenting 5.965 aggressions against human rights defenders between January and November 2023. In a joint statement, we urged the new government to establish a plan of action to accept visits from Special Procedures, implement recommendations by the Universal Periodic Review and Treaty Bodies, and request a country visit by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.

• Full statement (Spanish)

Thumbnail credit: UN Photo / Elma Okic

Franciscans International has been monitoring negotiations at the UN Security Council toward a resolution calling for a cessation of hostilities in Gaza and is deeply concerned that a vote has been repeatedly postponed while the proposed text has been significantly weakened. Considering the dire and deteriorating situation in Gaza, there can be no more delays*. The 13 December vote by the General Assembly calling for a ceasefire has already made it clear that such a resolution would enjoy overwhelming international support.

We reiterate our calls for an immediate ceasefire, unrestricted access to humanitarian aid, the release of all innocent civilians held captive, and an independent investigation into alleged atrocity crimes with a view of holding perpetrators accountable.

While the resolution is negotiated by the members of the Security Council, we continued to witness the devastating events throughout the Holy Land and hear the repeated warnings by the United Nations and civil society about the currently “apocalyptic” humanitarian situation and the ongoing human rights violations in Gaza – described by independent UN experts in November as a “genocide in the making”.

On 16 December, we also received the news that two Palestinian women – a mother and daughter – were killed by the Israeli Defense Force while sheltering inside the Holy Family Parish in Gaza. Nahida Khalil Anton was shot by snipers. While her daughter Samar tried to help her reach safety, she was shot as well.

Earlier in the day, the compound was reportedly fired on by a tank, resulting in a fire and the destruction of a generator. The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem released a statement warning that there are currently 54 persons with disabilities in the compound, some of whom are now unable to use the respirators that they need to survive. We note that Palestinian medical facilities and cultural sites have been repeatedly targeted, in violation of international law.

Nahida and Samar are just two of the more than 21.000 people that have been killed in the Holy Land since 7 October 2023. We cannot forget that each number represents a human being with families, friends, hopes, and dreams. The overwhelming percentage of those killed are civilian casualties, among them at least 135 UN staff and 68 journalists.

Meanwhile, with over 70 percent of houses in Gaza damaged and the Word Food Program warning that half of all Gazans are starving, those seeking refuge from the violence – including the over 1.9 million displaced – continue to be targeted while being deprived of all necessities, including food, water, shelter, and medical care.

“Hell is visible in the pictures of the dead and injured, of the destruction of homes, churches and mosques, hospitals, schools. We hear it with the emergency warning sirens on the background. We sense it in the heavy air that smells of death and suffering. The innocent victims of this war do not deserve the hell on earth they are living.”
Br. Ibrahim Faltas OFM, Vicar of the Custody of the Holy Land, on the situation in Gaza

In short, we are witnessing a human rights and humanitarian catastrophe and an international community that has been unable to act decisively or provide accountability for decades-long violations of international law. As noted by the UNRWA Commissioner-General, this is “a make-or-break moment for all of us and for our shared humanity.”

Inside the UN Headquarters in New York, there is a plaque bearing a quote from Dag Hammarskjöld that reminds the reader that “the United Nations was not created in order to bring us to heaven, but in order to save us from hell.” In Gaza, the international community is falling far short of this most basic task.

Photo from the Holy Family Parish shared by the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem

*After publication, the UN Security finally passed a resolution calling for an “immediate, safe and unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance at scale directly to the Palestinian civilian population throughout the Gaza Strip”. Franciscans International remains concerned that, given the dire situation in Gaza, this decision fails to meet the gravity of the moment and to explicitly call for a permanent cessation of hostilities.

Over 281 million people – nearly 4 percent of the world’s population – don’t live in the country where they were born. International Migrants Day is an occasion to shed light on the challenges that confront people on the move. While the number of migrants throughout the world keeps on growing – due to factors like poverty, insecurity, or the effects of climate change – the implementation of a human rights approach to human mobility is still lagging.

Hostile immigration policies and practices such as the militarization of borders and criminalization of migrants increase their vulnerability to human rights violations. This is notably the case in the Americas, where these practices force people to use increasingly dangerous routes, subjecting them to extortion, sexual violence, and killings by cartels and smugglers.

In this context, Franciscans are at the frontlines of helping migrants. Created in 2018, the Franciscan Network for Migrants (FNM) aims to “form a corridor for migrant humanitarian support throughout the Americas.” The members of the Network work directly on the ground by providing essential services such as temporary housing and food, but they also seek to uphold migrants’ rights at the United Nations through Franciscans International.

The establishment of shelters near borders crossing points also plays an essential role in preserving the safety and dignity of people on the move in Colombia, Central America, Mexico, and the United States.

Indeed, many people are in dire situations when they arrive at a shelter. Some have lost everything, they may have witnessed or experienced extreme violence, or sometimes have been separated from family. Alejandra Conde, from the Franciscan La 72 explains: “We are in a context in the south of Mexico where there are many, many issues of violations by authorities and also organized crime, common crime, kidnappings, assaults, robberies, and sexual violence.”

“We are defenders of the rights of migrants.”

Located in Tenosique, the La 72 shelter welcomes migrants and gives special attention to victims of crime by providing psychological support as well as informing them of their rights. “We also take into account intersectionality and pay specific attention to the most vulnerable groups such as unaccompanied minors, children, women, and members of the LGBTQ+ community,” says Alejandra. To do so, they use various strategies, such as creating different spaces where people feel safe: for instance, there are some parts of the shelter where only women are allowed.

Complimenting the psychological support and counseling, most shelters offer medical services, filling the gap of the lack of access to healthcare for migrants. They also provide core relief items such as food, toiletries kits, and clothing.

For Sister Isabel Turcios (FMI), director of the migrants’ shelter Frontera Digna in Coahuila, their presence is essential: “Given the situations of vulnerability that migrants live in, the work that is done from this shelter is of vital importance because we can listen, welcome, protect, and provide legal advice in situations that require it. We are defenders of the rights of migrants.” At Frontera Digna the Sisters offer spiritual assistance and advice, but they also refer people to other local organizations depending on their needs.

“The issue of migrating without information is as if you were walking down the street blindfolded because you don’t know where to go and what to do.”

Another common thread among the Network’s shelters is the importance placed on access to information: “The issue of migrating without information is as if you were walking down the street blindfolded because you don’t know where to go and what to do,” says Alejandra Conde. Yet many people start their journey without knowing about regularization processes and available protection mechanisms. When they arrive at one of the shelters, they are advised of the options they have and can make an informed choice about what to do next.

However, while these places are essential to ensure the human dignity of people on the move, they constantly face obstacles. First of all, the very nature of migrants’ shelters make them vulnerable to harassment and attacks from both State and non-State actors. In Mexico, not only migrants but also the people accompanying them through visa regularization processes are regularly threatened by the authorities. Then, with migration flows that keep on increasing, shelters are frequently operating at full capacity. This adds up to a severe lack of funding, as many shelters rely on donations: “It would be great to have financial help for unforeseen events, as well as for basic medication and other relief items,” says Sister Isabel.

Despite the hardships, the Franciscan Network for Migrants (FNM) remains hopeful and committed to protecting the dignity of people on the move: “It can be frustrating to have to deal with these abuses against migrants every day,” says Alejandra. “But at the same time, it is very satisfying to see people leaving with their suitcases, with their jackets, with a card and their status regularized, and to see those happy faces when they leave.”

Franciscans International is proud to be a member of the diverse global coalition that received the UN Human Rights Prize today. Awarded once every five years, the prestigious prize acknowledges the vital role played by this coalition in advocating for the recognition by UN Member States of the human right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment.

This achievement was only possible through tireless efforts that began more than a decade ago and resulted in thousands of organizations and people from across the world joining together to spur the United Nations to recognize this right – first in 2021 by the UN Human Rights Council and subsequently in 2022 by the UN General Assembly.

The award was accepted in New York on behalf of the coalition by six representatives from Africa, Asia, Europe, the Pacific, North America, and Latin America and the Caribbean. The diverse nature of this group not only represents the reach of the coalition but also exemplifies the global relevance of the right to a healthy environment as an integral part of the enjoyment of all other human rights.

The Global Coalition of Civil Society, Indigenous Peoples, Social Movements, and Local Communities for the Universal Recognition of the Human Right to a Clean, Healthy, and Sustainable Environment brings together over 1.350 organizations from 75 countries.

In our own work at FI, this intersection and the new avenues for advocacy that are opened up by the recognition of this right are also evident. In Asia-Pacific and the Americas for example, unchecked business activities have severely affected the lives of Indigenous Peoples and other communities that traditionally rely on their natural environment for their livelihoods.

Also in the Americas, as well as in Africa, environmental degradation is exacerbating migration flows and internal displacement. Both at the grassroots and in global processes such as the UN Climate Conferences, the right to a healthy environment can be a foundation for inclusive and rights-based policies that seek to combat the triple-planetary crisis and its impacts.

“Awarding the Human Rights Prize underscores the universality of the right to a healthy environment. We all need clean air, adequate and sustainable food, water and sanitation, and other elements of the right to survive and thrive,” said Budi Tjahjono, FI’s International Advocacy Director. “Already, 161 States have enshrined this right in their domestic legislation. While this is encouraging, it is only the start: we must and will continue our work to fully implement this human right for all.”

FI has continued to advocate for the right’s inclusion in other spaces and outcome documents, to ensure coherence across the UN. FI is also currently conducting consultations and research for a new publication that we expect to launch in early 2024. By looking at concrete cases, this document will aim to fill existing gaps in understanding around the newly recognized right and offer tools to grassroots activists and community leaders who seek to protect and realize the right to a healthy environment.

As we celebrate the Human Rights Award, we remain committed to working with all our partners and continuing the long road toward implementation and the enjoyment of the right to a healthy environment for all.

75 years ago, as the world emerged from the horrors of World War II, the UN General Assembly proclaimed the Declaration of Human Rights. Today, it remains a unique document that places the inherent dignity of all people as the foundation for freedom, justice, and peace.

From the outset, the Universal Declaration has resonated deeply with Franciscans. Looking at the example of Francis of Assisi – whose own faith was shaped through his experience as a soldier – it is easy to see how this document dovetails with his own uncompromising belief in human dignity.

Yet, as we mark this anniversary, it is also painfully clear that the realization of these values remains a distant reality for many, whether because of conflict, extreme poverty, or the environmental crises we face. Together with their allies, Franciscans remain committed to putting the words of the Universal Declaration into practice, through both direct action at the grassroots and at the UN.

As part of the celebrations around the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights organized a two-day high-level event in Geneva. During this meeting, UN Member States and civil society organizations were invited to take part in a “pledging tree” to offer their concrete commitments to human rights.

Markus Heinze OFM, FI’s Executive Director, used the occasion to deliver the following statement:

“Franciscans International appreciates the opportunity to express our pledge on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

For nearly 35 years, Franciscans International has built bridges between Franciscans working at the grassroots level and the United Nations.

With the support of our team of human rights experts in Geneva and New York, the concerns of Franciscans and the communities they represent are brought to the attention of the international community.

Bringing together these two worlds, Franciscans International advocates for human dignity and environmental justice, using a rights-based approach.

Today, we celebrate the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Tomorrow, we continue our efforts to help realize the promises it holds for all of us.

Therefore,

We pledge to work toward a global community in which,

the dignity of every person is respected,
resources are shared equitably,
the environment is protected,
and nations and peoples live in peace.

Thank you.”

Around the world, people commit to the protection and promotion of human rights. While some choose to focus on a specific issue, such as the right to water or extreme poverty, others work with certain groups like women, children, Indigenous Peoples, or migrants and refugees. They can work individually or with others, professionally or not, and in many ways: this can for example be through the collection and dissemination of information, advocacy at the local, national, and international levels, or by supporting victims.

Whether they know it or not, their contribution towards dignity and justice through peaceful action makes them human rights defenders.

Human rights defenders (HDRs) play a vital role in our societies. They are instrumental in implementing our fundamental rights, meaning their work benefits us all. However, this is not without challenges, and by working towards more justice, they also risk exposing themselves to harassment, death threats, and other forms of intimidation. The large scope of threats and reprisals against HRDs motivated the UN General Assembly to adopt the Declaration on Human Rights Defenders in 1998.

Coming soon

For the first time, the HRDs’ essential contribution to society was recognized, at the same time as their right to be protected. The Declaration clearly states that defenders have a right to defend human rights, to associate freely with others, document human rights abuses, as well as access protection from the UN and regional mechanisms.

As December 9, 2023 marks the 25th anniversary of the Declaration, we want to shed light on the women and men in the Franciscan family working for the respect of fundamental human rights in different regions of the world. The Franciscan values of equal dignity, peace, and care for all creation are at the heart of their commitment. In this series, we are focusing on the sisters and brothers who are at the forefront of helping marginalized communities and populations whose most basic rights are violated. 

To quote Mary Lawlor, Special Rapporteur on the situation of HRDs, “human rights defenders are ordinary people who do extraordinary things”. In this spirit, many Franciscans fit the definition perfectly – true human rights defenders, working for a better tomorrow.

Among certain ethnic groups in northern Benin, a child’s characteristics at birth and in the months that follow are crucial to its survival. From their position during delivery to the way they are teething, they can be accused of being a “witch” child. According to traditional beliefs, they then becomes a curse for their family and the whole community and must be eliminated.

We met with Brother Auguste Agounpké, who has been involved in the fight against ritual infanticide for over 20 years. Although a lot of progress has been made since then, including the criminalization of the practice by Benin in 2015, it has not yet completely disappeared. Indeed, while abandonment is now more often chosen instead of killing, children accused of witchcraft still suffer from stigmatization and exclusion. We were able to discuss the local awareness-raising activities in which Brother Auguste has been taking part in, as well as his commitment to international advocacy.

Could you introduce yourself and your work on ritual infanticide in Benin?

My name is Auguste, I am a Capuchin friar and I work for Franciscains-Bénin. The first time I heard about so-called witch children was when I was sent on a mission to the north of the country in 2003. For me, it was strange, because this is something that doesn’t exist in the south. One day, a parish catechist came to alert the parish priest that an eight-month-old child was about to be executed because his first tooth had appeared on his upper jaw. We immediately got in the car and drove to the village. The parents were there but had no right to speak. It was up to the grandfather to decide the child’s fate. He agreed to let us take his grandson with us but confirmed that he would kill him if he saw him again. Then we had a second case, a little girl who had also started teething on her upper jaw. Her mother, who saw it right away, went to live with her parents for a while, so no one else would notice. But years later, she finally confessed it to her husband. Their daughter was already 9, but the father still wanted to get rid of her, so we had to rescue her. In total, we have saved a dozen children in this way.

What are the different reasons why a child can be accused of witchcraft?

In addition to teething, which must begin with the lower jaw, the child’s position at birth is also very important. Indeed, the newborn must fall on its back while looking at the sky: if it comes out through the feet, shoulder, or breech, it will have to be put to death. As most women give birth at home, a village midwife is often in charge. But some of them take advantage of being the only ones allowed in the room – and thus able to witness the child’s position at birth – to settle scores. They may even lie in order to harm the woman giving birth, if they have had a dispute with her, for example. Finally, the number 8 is a bad omen in the tradition of the Bariba ethnic group. If a woman gives birth prematurely at eight months, this is not accepted. Similarly, a child should not grow their first teeth at eight months.

What happens to the women who bring these children into the world?

As long as they agree to eliminate their child, there is no problem for them. However, if they decide to keep their child, they too will be in danger. I experienced this first-hand when I was up north. The niece of the bishop I was living with gave birth to a child in a “bad” position. With all the awareness-raising we had done in the region, she wanted to protect her child, and her husband, not being from the same culture, had no reason to want to sacrifice his baby. However, the mother’s family attached great importance to traditional beliefs. She and her husband had to flee the village to protect their child. If she had stayed, her life would also have been at risk.

What were the main stages in your fight against ritual infanticide?

In 2007, we were invited by Franciscans International to attend a training course on the use of UN human rights protection mechanisms. I was with a Franciscan sister that I didn’t know at the time, Sr. Madeleine Koty, who had already saved five children from ritual murder. I had saved three. We decided it was important to bring this issue to the attention of the international community and submitted a report to the UN a few months later. Two countries responded immediately with recommendations to ban the practice. Back in Benin, we continued our awareness-raising work in local communities where the phenomenon is rife, and in 2012, with FI’s support, our NGO Franciscains-Bénins was created. By combining international advocacy with awareness-raising at the local level, I can say that, after years of work, things have changed a lot, and these children are no longer being systematically killed. However, fear persists, and children who are not born “the right way” continue to be abandoned. Occasionally, we manage to persuade a family to keep their child, but this remains the exception.

Can you give us an example of an awareness-raising action you’ve carried out?

In northern Benin, we organized a week-long training course for five midwives. Some of these midwives have retained the tradition of telling their families the exact position of the child at birth. So, we worked with them to encourage them to keep the secret between the midwife and the mother. This project began last year and is due to run until 2025. We will also be continuing our awareness-raising campaigns in schools, with teachers, and among various sections of the population. I believe that these campaigns at different levels are essential if we are to succeed in changing mentalities.

What are the next steps in your work to protect so-called “witch children”?

We are currently building a temporary center to take in children rejected by their families and keep them safe. The idea is that they can stay there while we find them a foster family, which can sometimes take months. We try to choose families who are sensitive to this issue and who are close to the children from a cultural and religious standpoint. Finally, we provide a monthly contribution to their overheads. This project is currently underway and is scheduled to run for the next three years.

More information on the work of Franciscans-Benin and FI on the issue of ritual infanticide.

For more information, check out our main article on Franciscans at the Forefront of Human Rights.

Over the next two weeks, 140 world leaders and over 70.000 other delegates, ranging from religious leaders to corporate lobbyists, are expected to descend on Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for the UN Climate Conference. Here, they will assess the progress made toward realizing the goals of the 2015 Paris Agreement. The urgency is clear: COP28 has been preceded by several scientific reports, whose findings are both increasingly dire and, sadly, effectively ignored.

The window to limit global heating to 1.5 degrees Celsius is rapidly closing and would require radical interventions. As things stand, even fully implementing the promises already made by governments to cut emissions will still push temperatures up to 2.5 degrees above pre-industrial levels.

Worryingly, the UN Climate Conferences themselves have come under increasing criticism for offering a platform to polluters to ‘greenwash’ their activities. COP27 was marked by an “explosion” of corporate lobbyists. Concerns about the ‘corporate capture’ of the conferences echo those in other UN processes, such as the ongoing negotiations on a treaty on transnational corporations. Also at COP27, Egyptian authorities placed severe restrictions on civil society, threatening to deprive the deliberations of many critical voices from affected communities.

COP28 is facing similar questions about its legitimacy after the UAE selected the CEO of its state-owned oil company as conference chair. This means that the negotiations on whether to phase out the use of fossil fuels entirely will now be led by an oil executive whose company is reportedly using COP28 as an opportunity to promote new oil deals. Meanwhile, conscious of the severe restrictions on civic space in the UAE, climate activists have expressed fear of surveillance and detention during the conference.

“Now more than ever” has become somewhat of a cliché in the world of advocacy but it remains true in many cases – most critically in regard to climate change. We are quickly running out of time to take climate action and have already passed certain tipping points, locking in the now inevitable adverse climate impacts on people and the planet. Yet every day we do act, we can prevent more future harm.

What is at stake?

Despite its shortcomings, the Paris Agreement still offers one of the most robust international frameworks to compel States to act. In this context, Franciscans International will be closely monitoring the following developments at COP28:

The conference will include the first global stocktake (GTS), through which countries and other stakeholders will assess the progress in reducing emissions through the national commitments that they made following the Paris Agreement – and identify where they are falling behind. Although it is clear that we are woefully off track to keep average global temperatures “well below 2°C”, the GTS can be leveraged to accelerate the ambition of the next round of national action plans, which are due in 2025.

State delegates are also expected to reach a decision on whether to phase out fossil fuels – that is, to completely eliminate them – or whether to merely phase down their use. The continued extraction of gas, oil, and coal by companies does not only harm our planet – it is also negatively impacting an array of human rights, including the right to health and the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment. A decision to phase out fossil fuels is essential to protect both our common home and our human rights.

Negotiations on a loss and damage fund should be concluded at COP28. Through this mechanism, wealthy countries – historically responsible for the most emissions – should provide financial support to poorer countries to mitigate the damages of the climate crisis and facilitate the shift away from fossil fuels. An equitable and effective mechanism will be critical to ensure that nobody is left behind.

For the first time ever, the UN Climate Conference will feature a faith pavilion, which further reinforces the UN’s strong engagement with religious communities on climate issues. Although Pope Francis was forced to cancel his visit due to health reasons, Anglican Archbishop Julio will join other faith leaders, emphasizing that climate justice is not only a political and human rights issue, but also a moral and spiritual imperative.

COP28 also coincides with the 75^th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on 10 December. Later that week, on 15 December, the prestigious UN Human Rights Prize will be awarded to an international coalition of civil society organizations that includes FI for its role in advocating for the recognition of the right to a healthy environment – a pointed reminder that environmental issues are also human rights issues. Through its recognition of this right, the UN General Assembly has laid the groundwork for a rights-based approach to global environmental action.

As the delegates gather at COP28, they must meet the moment and finally fulfill their obligations under international law. They should know that the world is watching and that anything short of urgent and inclusive action is not an option. In the words of UN General Secretary Antonio Guterres: “We have a choice. Collective action or collective suicide. It is in our hands.”.

Where to find us during COP28:

Talanoa Interfaith Gathering
(30 November – 12:30 CET)

Based on a traditional form of dialogue by the Indigenous People of Fiji to solve problems within the community, we’ll meet to exchange our initiatives, concerns, and hopes in our work for climate justice.

The Right to a Healthy Environment – What Next?
(1 December – 13:45 CET)

During a high level event that will be opened by the President of Slovenia, we will explore how the right to a healthy environment can be mainstreamed, implemented, and codified by the international climate community.

In the 2000s, the discovery of large gas and mineral reserves in Mozambique’s northernmost province of Cabo Delgado promised to bring economic growth and human development to the population. However, while it led to massive investments from European companies, local communities have hardly benefited from it. On the contrary, the exploitation of resources highlighted inequalities and participated in the rise of violence. The situation in Cabo Delgado further escalated in October 2017, when an extremist group locally known as Al Shabab* engaged in a brutal insurgency, indiscriminately targeting citizens. Since it started, thousands of people have been killed, and over one million have been displaced.

Amid this complex and multi-faceted crisis, the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary (FMM), of which Sister Therese is a member, help internally displaced persons in resettlement camps through psychological support and practical training courses, particularly for young women. We discussed her daily work with affected people, some of the root causes of the crisis, and how she views international advocacy.

Can you explain what your work involves?

In northern Mozambique, the arrival of internally displaced persons was sudden and massive. Every day, between 300 and 500 people turned up, some with their luggage, others empty-handed. When this happened, we had to make a quick decision. As I already had experience working with Rwandan and Burundian refugees, I didn’t hesitate to get involved and put myself at their service. Thanks to the collaboration of local authorities, we were able to find different sites to welcome people, and we currently have eleven camps in our district. The first thing my sisters and I do is to welcome them on one of our plots and provide them with the emergency aid sent by our congregation, which includes food for the first few days and a mat to sleep on. Our work also has a psychological dimension: every morning, our priority is to be close to them and listen to them. Our presence alone is essential. Finally, we train them to be self-sufficient, so that they don’t become dependent.

Before arriving in these camps, what was the experience of these displaced persons?

Many people were displaced by the terrorist attacks, which began unexpectedly. Villagers watched helplessly as armed groups burned down their homes and beheaded their neighbors and relatives. When you see that, you have no choice but to flee. So many of them were displaced by this violence, but it wasn’t the only factor. Indeed, the soil of the Cabo Delgado province is rich in minerals, making it an especially attractive place for the mining industry. Rather than engage in dialogue with Indigenous populations and traditional chiefs, transnational companies have evicted them from their land, often with the false promise of giving them new plots in exchange that would enable them to continue their farming activities.

What’s the situation like in the camps?

Thanks to the help of non-governmental and ecclesiastical organizations, the situation has improved. Some of them are taking care of water by digging wells, the sanitary facilities are in better condition, and generally speaking, collaborating with other entities means that local needs are better taken care of. Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), for example, was one of the first on the ground to provide essential aid. However, humanitarian assistance is not always constant: due to a lack of funds, the aid provided by the UN’s World Food Program (WFP) is about to stop, so we are in the process of receiving the last stocks of food. This is problematic, because rain is scarce, and it takes three months to harvest. The most difficult thing about our work is the means. If we don’t have the material means, it’s all over.

What inspired you to start this work and how does it connect with your vocation as a Franciscan sister?

Right from the start of my vocation, I saw myself as a missionary, which means I accept any kind of work, even if it’s difficult and risky. Our Foundress used to say, “My consecration is love”, so I must love everyone without distinction. My priority is to help those who are suffering, but I also play the role of mediator. Because the land is State-owned in Mozambique, certain fields have been redistributed to newly arrived displaced persons, creating major tensions with the locals. The latter began to demand a share of the crops as compensation for the land they had lost. In this type of situation, I don’t take sides and try to maintain cohesion. Finally, I think that my work reflects the necessary balance between prayer and action.

What was your impression of your first experience at the United Nations?

I enjoyed it because I thought that only certain countries would be represented and have the opportunity to speak – I didn’t expect there would be so much diversity in the debates. Besides, the exchanges I witnessed were very respectful. Now I have a completely different impression of the UN, and I can see how much human rights work is carried out by so many people.

What is your main message to the international community?

My main request is that human rights and freedom of expression be respected. In the context of mining activities in Mozambique, it is necessary to start a conversation with civil society, and for this, the international community has an essential role to play. It is important to put pressure on heads of state to engage in dialogue with their people and to ensure their participation in decision-making processes that affect them. It is also the responsibility of governments to set limits for companies and to maintain a reciprocity that is inclusive of local populations. Finally, I’m convinced that we could all live very well together on this earth if we respect human rights – rights that are included in God’s Ten Commandments.

*No ties to the Somali group of the same name.

For more information, check out our main article on Franciscans at the Forefront of Human Rights.