Panel on how state and economic interests
are played off against human rights
November 6, 16:30–18:00 CET
Quartierraum, Holligerhof 8, 3008 Bern, Oberes Hofgeschoss

Description

The climate crisis is ever more evident in countries of the Global South as we have witnessed in 2022 with the floods in Pakistan and the drought in the Horn of Africa. Those suffering contributed the least to greenhouse gas emissions, yet those countries most responsible refuse to either drastically cut emissions or provide sufficient finance to those on the brunt end of the crisis. Rather they formulate political responses in their own interest. Thus, even global emergencies are shamelessly exploited by corporations and states to turn them into profit. And the desire for profit often stands in direct opposition to the well-being of people and planet.

Spending on border militarization, for example, exceeds investments in climate-protection in many countries of the Global North. The victims of climate change are painted as ‘threats’ to national security. And European governments are providing arms, weapons, and aid to authoritarian regimes, such as that of President el-Sisi in Egypt, in exchange for stopping migrants seeking safety and dignity.

This discussion therefore aims to shed light on and critically question the connections between Fortress Europe and climate policy. How are colonial power structures perpetuated on different levels? And who actually benefits from a militarized border regime? We try to find answers to these questions with four different perspectives:

• Muhammad al-Kashef (he/him), human rights lawyer, researcher consultant and activist. Alarm-Phone & Migreurop
• Nick Buxton (he/him), researcher and activist, involved in climate and migrant justice movements since the early 2000s (will join online)
• Payal Parekh (she/her), climate activist and climate scientist, advising NGOs and grassroots movements around the world, specialising in campaign strategy and civil disobedience. Born in India, lived in the US and since 2011 in Bern.
• Taqadum al-Khatib (he/him), researcher on temporary politics and modern history of the Middle East at Heidelberg University

Language

The event will take place in English with simultaneous translation into German.

Three short films about the climate crisis and migration
November 4 2022, 19:00–21:30
at de_block, Waldmannstrasse 17, 3027 Bern

On all continents, the consequences of climate change are destroying the livelihoods of many people. Drought, floods and hurricanes are forcing people to leave their homes in order to survive, same as with war, persecution and poverty. European countries, such as Switzerland, are considered safe destinations. But there is no such thing as safety when refugees set out on their journey. The dangers of exploitation, abuse, violence and often hopelessness or death lurk everywhere. As a country of destination, transit and origin, Egypt is confronted with all the challenges mentioned above. However, this year’s climate conference in the country leaves out most of the critical issues. What ultimately happens to people who have made it to Europe? And who can claim security for their own lives?

Through three short films, we would like to create a connection between three topics, which are all closely linked:

Climate change: Loss of prospects and migration as a consequence
In the documentary «Natari» (Haroon Riaz/Jawad Sharif, Doku, Pakistan, Sindhi/en, 45min) we see the struggle of fisherman and activist Ayoub Sehto, who lives on the island of Kharo Chan in the Indus Delta. Because hardly any fresh water arrives there anymore, he and his son face the inevitable migration to the mainland.

There is no arrival. Discrimination as everyday life
In Giza, a Sudanese refugee is on her way to a wedding preparation with her seven-year-old daughter. As a henna painter, she is supposed to decorate the bride. But her art soon fades into the background. «Henet Ward» (Morad Mostafa, Egypt, Arabic/en, 22min) gives an insight into the everyday racism that refugees in Egypt are exposed to.

It’s a system. Switzerland with its responsibility for the climate crisis is building Fortress Europe
Faithfully neo-colonialist, Switzerland promotes a system of blatant inequality. On the one hand, as an emitter of CO2, arms exporter and commodities trader, on the other hand, as a very active advocate of Fortress Europe. Racism is everyday life here for all refugees, even for those who receive an F permit. The film «Das verlorene Paradies» (Mortaza Shahed,  Doku, Schweiz, farsi/de, 18min) is all about the lack of prospects inherent in such a system.

Podium about the situation in Egypt,
in collaboration with COP Civic Space
November 5, 16:30–18:00 CET
Online

This year, the UN global climate conference COP is taking place in Egypt – a country described by local and exiled activists, as well as NGOs as one of the most repressive regimes in the world. Through surveillance, intimidation and arbitrary arrests and detention, it has been trying for years to break any serious opposition. The COP27 is now being used by this very regime to put itself in the best light before an international audience, while still suppressing any criticism or any movement towards civic freedoms in Egyptian civil society.

It’s essential to take a clear stance here. To disregard the civil society struggles in Egypt as “extraneous” to the climate negotiations during the COP would be a fatal mistake. Instead, we should *especially* during this climate conference take a closer look and point out the connections: There can be no climate justice if political freedoms are systematically and violently taken away, indigenous populations are suppressed and displaced, and refugees are imprisoned, exploited and pushed back.

Topics

In this information event we will look at the situation in Egypt from different perspectives. With inputs on

• the general situation of Egypt’s civic space
• the situation of Sinai residents and indigenous people, where the COP27 will take place
• the situation of refugees and migrants in Egypt

Speakers

• Yasmin Omar (she/her), International human rights lawyer, UN and Regional Mechanisms Manager at the Committee for Justice (CFJ).
• Ahmed Salem, co-founder and executive director of Sinai Foundation for Human Rights
• Nour Khalil (he/him), Human Rights Defender, Lawyer, Researcher, specialized Consultant in immigration and asylum policies and issues, and Executive Director of the Refugees Platform in Egypt (RPE)

Language

The event will take place in English and Arabic with simultaneous translation into German.