The letter points out that in the context of the massive Eurozone debt
crisis — which has been dominating the EU’s agenda — it is more important than
ever that the EU adheres to its core principles — including human rights and
equity. In the zero draft outcome document for Rio+20 on the other hand, some
UN members, including the EU, have weakened or even undermined these core
principles. “In such critical times, the focus of some actors is simply not
acceptable — whether that focus is on preserving short term and narrow
interests or on trying to dismantle the core pillars of the UN development
agenda to the detriment of wider and future populations”, they warn.
EU officials are urged to reaffirm key principles agreed on in previous
conferences regarding sustainable development. Most important is the principle
of common but differentiated responsibilities (CBDR) among developed and
developing countries. This principle is being contested in the negotiations,
with developed countries trying to diminish their share in responsibilities, to
the detriment of developing countries. “Even though this principle is at the
core of the development and sustainable development agendas, it is crucial to
stress that while new countries have emerged as economic powers, developed
countries are historically responsible for the current state of the planet and
are still the greatest per capita emitters of CO2 emissions”, the letter
states. “Recognizing the CBDR principle is about acknowledging responsibility,
ensuring the realisation of the right to development, striving for more equity,
committing to differentiated targets for sustainable development and about
providing an enabling environment for developing countries in international
relations and assistance according to countries’ needs”, it continues.
Eurostep and its partners call on the EU and its member states to spell
out — in the outcome document — certain rights, including the right to safe and
clean drinking water and sanitation, and to reiterate the EU’s core principle
to uphold and promote all human rights. “Human rights are legal guarantees that
contribute to people’s empowerment and improved equity and ensure equal
protection of people before the law; they are fundamental requirements for a
sustainable world. Given the EU’s laudable engagement on human rights, to
improve democracy, inclusiveness and participatory approaches and increase the
role of civil society organizations in decision making processes, we urge the
EU to listen to these pleas”, the letter concludes.
These concerns have been echoed by a wide range of international actors
including civil society organisations and UN representatives. In an Open Letter, 22 Human Rights Councils‘
independent experts called on all states negotiating the Rio+20 Outcome
Document “to incorporate universally agreed international human rights norms
and standards in the Outcome Document of the Rio+20 Summit with strong
accountability mechanism to ensure its implementation“.
In anotheropen letter, international civil society and non-governmental organisations
address the Secretary General for Rio+20 and UN member states to bring the
“negotiations back on track“, so that Rio+20 can deliver “the realization of
rights, democracy and sustainability” while adhering the principles of
transparency and accountability and thus strengthen the foundations of peace
and prosperity.
