1- MADAGASCAR: DAMISOA
In 2021, Damisoa and his family fled drought-stricken Androy due to drought-induced famines. In Boeny, the government resettled them at a site where farming is unviable and access to food, water and sanitation is regularly and severely hindered by fast-moving, crocodile-infested waters.People displaced by famine and now living in Boeny, including Damisoa and his fellow residents, urgently need humanitarian assistance. But aid is currently almost exclusively concentrated in drought-stricken southern Madagascar.
Honorable Director General
We call on you to take urgent steps to guarantee the human rights of people displaced and now living in Boeny and across Madagascar. We urge you to actively seek the support of humanitarian agencies and other relevant actors to do this. Thank you.
2-NORWAY: ELLINOR GUTTORM UTSI
Ellinor Guttorm Utsi is a Sámi Indigenous leader working tirelessly to protect her community’s ancient reindeer-herding way of life in northern Norway. In 2023, several hundred wind turbines were suddenly proposed directly on their summer grazing lands in Čorgaš, threatening to damage grazing land, break migration routes and destroy their culture. Despite fierce opposition, the authorities are rushing approvals.
Honorable Prime Minister of Norway:
We call on you to protect the rights of the Sami reindeer-herding communities by ensuring that industrial wind-power projects that threaten their lands and way of life do not proceed without the free, prior and informed consent of the affected Sami people. Thank you.
3-SOUTH AFRICA: UNECEBO MBOTENI
In April 2024, three-year old Unecebo Mboteni died after falling into a pit toilet at his pre-school in the Eastern Cape.More than one year on and the family has had no word from the Little Champions Day Care Center on the department about weather the pit toilet that Unecebo fell into has been removed. They were also told that it could be years before the investigation is completed.
Honorable Minister of Basic Education:
We call on you to ensure the investigation into Unecebo’s death is expedited and the outcome made public, and that those responsible are held accountable. Thank you.
4- CAMBODIA: MOTHER NATURE CAMBODIA
Mother Nature Cambodia has courageously defended the Cambodian environment since 2013. But since 2016, the authorities have repeatedly targeted the group with arrests and prosecution, for nothing more than protecting the environment and exercising their right to freedom of expression. In June 2024, six members of the group were sentenced to between six and eight years in prison. One member fled Cambodia to continue their work, but the remaining five activists are enduring harsh conditions in prisons that are not compliant with international human rights standards
Honorable Prime Minister of Cambodia:
We call on you to immediately and unconditionally release the five detained activists and quash all conviction against Mother Nature Cambodia activists. Nobody should face prison simply for protecting the planet. Thank you.
5- HONDURAS: JUAN LOPEZ
Juan López was a loving father and husband who tirelessly defended his local environment in northern Honduras from mining and energy projects which have threatened local rivers, forests and the Carlos Escaleras Mejía National Park. On 14 September 2024, he was shot dead in his car by a masked gunman as he left church.
Honorable Attorney General
We call on you to ensure a prompt, independent and impartial investigation into the killing of Juan Lopez. All those suspected of being responsible for the crime must be brought to justice in fair trials, including those who ordered the murder. Thank you.
6- TUNISIA: SONIA DAHMANI
Sonia Dahmani is a lawyer and media commentator who has dedicated her life to defending human rights. On 11 May 2024, security forces arrested Sonia. She has been convicted and sentenced on unfounded charges of “spreading false news”, with additional politically motivated investigations still pending. She is being held in inhumane conditions and denied conditions and denied.
Honorable President of Tunisia
We call on you to immediately and unconditionally release Sonia Dahmani, quash the sentences and drop all charges against her as she is detained Soley for exercising her right to freedom of expression. Thank you.
7-MYANMAR: SAI ZAW THAIKE
Sai Zaw has been persecuted for his work reporting on the devastation caused by Cyclone Mocha. In 2023, he was arrested and sentenced by a military tribunal to 20 years in prison. He has endured beatings by prison staff and periods of solitary confinement.
The Myanmar Military Junta:
We call on you to immediately and unconditionally release Sai Zaw. Thank you.
8- ECUADOR: The Guerreras por la Amazonía
The Guerreras por la Amazonía are fighting alongside the Union of People Affected by Texaco’s Oil Operations and the collective “Eliminen los Mecheros, Enciendan la Vida” (Remove the Flares, Ignite Life) to eliminate gas flares which are causing toxic fumes and environmental devastation in their communities. In 2021, a landmark ruling required the government to eliminate the use of gas flares, yet they continue to burn.
Honorable President of Ecuador:
We are deeply concerned that the young defenders are facing stigma and violent intimidation. Rather than investigating the threats against them, the authorities told the group that they will only provide them with protection if they stop their activism. We demand that you uphold the ruling to eliminate gas flares and ensure the safety of climate defenders Thank you.
9-USA: LEQAA KORDIA
Leqaa Kordia is a 32-year-old Muslim Palestinian woman living in the United States. She has been detained by U.S. immigration authorities since March 13. Since 2023, Leqaa has actively participated in several protests in New Jersey and nearby areas, advocating against Israel’s genocide in Gaza. Leqaa has lost approximately 175 family members in Gaza since the genocide began. At the time of her detention, Leqaa was in the process of securing legal residency. During a voluntary meeting with immigration officials at the Newark ICE Field Office, where she was accompanied by her attorney, Leqaa was immediately detained, despite being found to present a low risk to public safety, flight or criminal history. She was transferred to the Prairieland Detention Facility in Texas. This facility is located far from her attorney and family, and it has a documented history of human rights violations. We call on Secretary Noem to take urgent steps to guarantee the human rights of Leqaa Kordiar. We urge you to release her unconditionally. Thank you
