UN says Egypt must allow protests at COP27 climate summit 

Geneva, Nov. 2, (dpa/GNA) - The new United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, has called on Egypt to “guarantee meaningful and effective participation” for civil society in the upcoming COP27 world climate summit. 

Türk, who took up his role last month, said there were problems with the accreditation of civil society members and planned protest activities. Their right to freedom of expression must be respected, he said in Geneva on Wednesday. 

Non-governmental organizations are concerned they will be sidelined at this year’s conference, which kicks off on Sunday in the Egyptian resort town of Sharm el-Sheikh. The activist zone is far from the summit venue. 

A society-wide approach was needed to tackle the biggest challenge of the century, said Türk. “Decisions about climate change, including at this meeting, need to be transparent, inclusive and accountable, particularly for those most affected,” he said. 

More broadly, the high commissioner said that space for civil society was being restricted in many places. A worrying strongman mentality was spreading and human rights were sometimes being abused in order to enforce extreme positions, he added. 

GNA