An opinion by Martin Harper, CEO of BirdLife International
“We are currently witness to a disturbing trend around the world: healthy civil society filled with debate, dissent and non-violent activism is threatened,” says Martin Harper in his latest article in Birdlife International.
Harper goes on to stress that civil society and environmental activism are increasingly under threat around the world. The Civicus Watchlist highlights declining civic freedoms in countries like the U.S., DRC, Italy, Pakistan, and Serbia. Global Witness reports that “hundreds of land and environmental defenders are threatened, arrested and killed every year for their part in resisting environmental devastation.”
Human right to healthy environment
BirdLife International, a global network of 123 partners in 119 countries, believes that “governments make better decisions when civil society voices are heard” Harper explains. Their advocacy helped enshrine the human right to a healthy environment in the United Nations. Harper adds, “where we have civil rights, to free expression, the right to speak out, defend science and assemble peacefully in protest, we stand the strongest chance of saving life on this planet.”
However, powerful interests are working to silence dissent. Strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs) are a legal tactic used to suppress activism. A recent case saw Greenpeace ordered to pay $660 million after being sued by an oil pipeline company. Though the EU has banned SLAPPs, they remain legal in much of the U.S., where “the powerful forces of unbridled profit use their vast wealth to stifle those who speak up.”
BirdLife continues to fight and win
Despite these challenges, BirdLife and its allies continue to fight—and win. Last year, BirdLife helped pass the EU Nature Restoration Law, a major victory for biodiversity. And just last week, BirdLife South Africa and the Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds won a court ruling establishing six no-fishing zones around the African Penguin’s breeding colonies. This proves that “when environmental NGOs are active in healthy civil society, good outcomes flow.”
Yet threats persist. In May, the European Parliament will vote on eliminating environmental NGO funding, a move driven by corporate interests. Harper urges action: “This is not the time to despair, to look away. It is the time to be clear, confident and stand together.”
