On Sunday, the UN Climate Summit starts in Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt, and the stakes could not be higher as the world is facing a climate emergency. Leaders of participating countries need to finally act to prevent even more damage to the only planet we have.
A prime example is Brazil, where President-Elect Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva should commit to concrete measures to back up his promises on the environment, and urgently address the Amazon crisis.
Government leaders who are travelling to Sharm el Sheikh should also speak up publicly about the terrible human rights record of host country Egypt; support dissidents; and call for the release of thousands of unjustly jailed activists.
One of the most prominent activists languishing in Egypt’s prisons is Alaa Abd al Fattah. Alaa was convicted after a sham trial and should be released immediately. He has been on a hunger strike to force his release for 216 days now, and has announced he will stop drinking water on the opening day of the climate summit, which could lead to his death before the climate summit ends on Friday November 18.
The United Kingdom has a key role here, as Alaa is a dual Egyptian-British citizen. A group of European human rights ambassadors has already spoken up so let’s hope government leaders will come out with similar statements in the next days, and not just be props in the greenwashing attempt by Egypt’s ruthless ruler President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.
Do you want to help save Alaa’s life, and make sure he is released, before the UN climate summit begins? Then consider joining this campaign. And while you’re at it, also check out the Fridays For Future campaign to pressure politicians into positive climate action. Again: we only have one planet.