Secure Climate Justice for Torres Strait Islanders
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- Background: The Torres Strait Islands are highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, particularly sea-level rise, coastal erosion, and extreme weather events. These impacts threaten the homes, livelihoods, cultural heritage, and very existence of Torres Strait Islander communities.
- Legal Strategy: This campaign supports legal action, building on the Pabai & Anor v Commonwealth of Australia case and related international efforts. The legal strategy involves: (1) Continuing to pursue legal avenues within Australia, potentially arguing that the Commonwealth government has a duty of care to protect Torres Strait Islanders from the harms of climate change, and that its failure to adequately reduce greenhouse gas emissions breaches this duty; (2) Supporting complaints to international human rights bodies, such as the UN Human Rights Committee, arguing that Australia’s inaction on climate change violates its obligations under international human rights law; (3) Advocating for stronger climate policies and increased support for adaptation measures in the Torres Strait. The litigation and advocacy seek: (1) A declaration that the Australian government has a legal duty to protect Torres Strait Islanders from the harms of climate change; (2) Orders compelling the government to take stronger action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions; (3) Increased funding for climate change adaptation measures in the Torres Strait; and (4) Recognition of the unique vulnerability of Torres Strait Islanders to climate change.
- Case Status: Ongoing litigation and advocacy; potential future legal challenges.
- Jurisdiction: Federal Court of Australia; international human rights bodies.
Rewards
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3-03-2025
Mid-Raise Update: Momentum Building in Fight for Climate Justice!
Dear Supporters,
We\'re writing to you with an important update on our campaign to secure climate justice for the Torres Strait Islanders. Thanks to your incredible generosity, we\'ve made significant progress in holding the Australian government accountable for its inaction on climate change, which is threatening the very existence of these island communities.
Key Achievements So Far:
- International Advocacy: We\'ve successfully lodged a supplementary submission to the UN Human Rights Committee, building on the landmark Daniel Billy et al. v Australia communication. This submission provides powerful new evidence of the escalating impacts of sea-level rise, coastal erosion, and extreme weather events on the Torres Strait Islands, further demonstrating Australia\'s violation of its international human rights obligations. This garnered significant attention and put extra pressure on the Commonwealth.
- Expert Witness Reports: We\'ve commissioned crucial expert reports from leading climate scientists and legal scholars. These reports provide compelling scientific evidence linking Australia\'s greenhouse gas emissions to the specific harms experienced by Torres Strait Islanders and strengthen our legal arguments regarding the government\'s duty of care.
- Community Consultation: We\'ve continued to work closely with Torres Strait Islander communities, ensuring that our legal strategy is guided by their priorities and experiences. We\'ve facilitated several community consultations to gather further evidence and ensure their voices are central to the legal proceedings.
- Preliminary Legal Filings: Our legal team has been diligently preparing for potential further litigation within the Australian court system. This includes drafting detailed pleadings and identifying key legal precedents that support our case.
The Fight Continues: Urgent Need for Further Funding
While we\'ve achieved significant milestones, the fight for climate justice is far from over. The Australian government continues to resist meaningful action on climate change, and the situation in the Torres Strait is becoming increasingly dire.
To continue this vital work, we urgently need your continued support. Specifically, your donations will fund:
- Court Filing Fees and Litigation Costs: Preparing and filing a new case in the Federal Court of Australia will involve substantial costs.
- Further Expert Witness Testimony: We need to engage additional experts, including engineers and economists, to assess the costs of adaptation measures and quantify the damages caused by climate change.
- Travel and Accommodation for Torres Strait Islander Witnesses: It is crucial that Torres Strait Islanders are able to directly participate in legal proceedings and share their experiences with the court.
- Ongoing Community Engagement and Legal Support: We must continue to provide legal support and resources to the Torres Strait Islander communities throughout this complex and challenging legal process.
The future of the Torres Strait Islands hangs in the balance. Your contribution, no matter the size, will help us continue this crucial fight for climate justice and secure a safe and sustainable future for these vulnerable communities. Please donate today and share this update with your networks.
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