Geneva: Kashmiri representative Shamim Shawl has raised serious concerns about the impact of climate change on the people of Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) during the 57th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC).
According to Kashmir Media Service, during an interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on climate change in Geneva, Shawl emphasized the dire consequences of global warming on human rights, stating that a safe climate is integral to a healthy environment and essential for human survival and well-being. She outlined how military activities in the region exacerbate the environmental degradation, leading to glacier melt and adding stress to the local populace.
Shawl expressed disappointment over the lack of a dedicated mechanism at the Human Rights Council to address the climate crisis comprehensively. She detailed the alarming rise in daily temperatures in the region, which have severe effects on agriculture and water resources, crucial for the livelihoods of the local communities.
The Kashmiri representative called for immediate global action to mitigate these effects and urged world leaders and the United Nations Secretary-General to prioritize climate change as a critical human rights issue.