UN expert calls for action as Marshall Islands faces double displacement crisis

The message from Paula Gaviria Betancourt, the UN special rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons, comes as the Pacific nation grapples with generational shifts and the threat posed by rising sea levels and unprecedented global warming.

As a country at the forefront of the fight to slow global warming, the Marshall Islands faces unique challenges.

As one of the small island developing states (SIDS), he has played a significant role in international action to combat climate change. Under Paris Agreement 2015The Marshall Islands, along with other SIDS, played an important role in strongly supporting the inclusion of a 1.5°C temperature target.

The country also presented one of the first nationally determined contributions (NDKS) by agreement.

UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) identifies the Marshall Islands as particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change as sea level rise poses an existential threat.

Despite these problems, the agreement on “Financing of losses and damages” COP27 marks a critical event for vulnerable countries like the Marshall Islands. This mechanism aims to provide financial assistance to the most vulnerable countries affected by the effects of climate change.

Nuclear testing threatens communities

In addition to environmental issues, a study conducted by the UN Human Rights Office OHCHR, found that 67 nuclear tests conducted by the United States government in the Marshall Islands between 1946 and 1958 resulted in population displacement and contributed to radioactive contamination of land and sea.

“The legacy of nuclear testing and the requisition of military lands by a foreign power led to the displacement of hundreds of Marshallese over several generations.“while the adverse effects of climate change threaten to displace thousands more people,” Ms. Gaviria Betancourt said after her 10-day visit to the country.

UN Human Rights CouncilThe appointed expert, who does not receive a salary and does not represent any government or organization, applauded the efforts of the Marshall Islanders to find remedies and solutions for displaced people, while emphasizing that “the situation is largely out of the country’s control“

Indigenous rights

During her visit, Ms. Gaviria Betancourt highlighted the profound impact of population displacement on Marshall Islands communities.

“Many Marshallese I spoke with spoke of the deep sense of dislocation they feel as a result of displacement from lands that are deeply intertwined with their sense of culture and identity as Indigenous peoples,” she said.

She congratulated the Marshall Islands on its recent election to the Human Rights Council and the introduction of a resolution addressing the human rights implications of the nuclear legacy.

She also outlined specific recommendations to the government, saying: “The government should Adopt a comprehensive, rights-based displacement policy, promote greater transparency in laws and policies affecting displaced people, and continue to work with traditional leaders“

International responsibility

Speaking about historical responsibility, the expert noted that the relocation occurred while the Marshall Islands were under US administration as a strategic trust territory of the United Nations. She called on the United States to provide full information about the displacement and health risks to affected communities, provide meaningful remedies, and obtain full consent from those who have traditional rights to the lands they currently occupy for military purposes.

“While current compensation agreements may have been negotiated after independence, they seek to codify displacement that occurred when displaced persons could not reasonably provide free, prior and informed consent in accordance with Indigenous peoples’ right to self-determination,” she said .

Ms Gaviria Betancourt called for greater international support for the Marshall Islands’ climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts, highlighting the country’s minimal contribution to global emissions.