PR88516

JAKARTA, Indonesia, March 16, 2021 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/ --

The Raoul Wallenberg Institute of Human Rights and Humanitarian

Law(RWI)[https://rwi.or.id/] calls for environmental degradation to be treated

as a human rights issue. This comes after the Sweden-based institution's

reports found that problems such as air pollution and climate change-linked

disasters have increasingly impacted people's livelihoods.

RWI's recent publication series titled 'Prosperous and Green in the

Anthropocene: The human right to a healthy environment in Southeast

Asia'[https://rwi.or.id/publications/post/prosperous-and-green-anthropocene-huma

n-right-healthy-environment-southeast-asia] found that the Association of

Southeast Asian Nations(ASEAN) is seriously affected by the impacts of climate

change and natural resource depletion.

It is found that 39% of the population relies on solid biomass, such as

fuelwood, charcoal, and agricultural residue for household cooking - an

overreliance resulting in 3.8 million deaths each year due to indoor air

pollution caused by solid biomass burning, and an increase in lung cancer rates

in women.

"Worsening natural disasters and increasing pollution are more pronounced in

Southeast Asia. We launched this publication series to address the

unprecedented social-ecological challenges, the importance of human rights and

gender equality so we can join forces to tackle these challenges," said Victor

Bernard, Programme Officer at RWI.

Together with ASEAN, countries in the region are applying new policy

frameworks, comprising of clean air, water and sanitation, a safe climate,

sustainable food systems, non-toxic environments, healthy ecosystems, and

biodiversity, to minimize the environmental impact on individuals, especially

vulnerable groups.

Southeast Asian countries have begun taking essential steps to protect human

rights and gender equality in the face of environmental dangers. For example,

introducing measures and legislative systems to protect women, children,

indigenous peoples, and disabled community, who are more exposed to

environmental risks. Yet, more can be done.

On top of these policy frameworks, RWI's reports - written by 11 lawyers and

policy researchers - call for a wider variety of measures, including increased

direct engagement with communities to tackle environmental issues through

online advocacy and social media.

Leading by example, RWI[https://www.instagram.com/rwi_jakarta/] is currently

running an environmental awareness campaign in collaboration with the

Indonesian Ministry of Law and Human Rights.

The campaign involves regional influencers Martin

Anugrah[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GC4pWzrhpAs], Hessel

Steven[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0cH1H8mSGxk] and Wilda Octaviana, who

virtually invite younger generations to protect human rights and enhance

sustainability through every day practices.  

Access the Publication Series HERE[https://rwi.or.id/publications]

Media Contact:

Yudha-Pratama

yudha.pratama@rwi.lu.se

+6227092823

Victor-Bernard

victor.bernard@rwi.lu.se

+6227092823

SOURCE Raoul Wallenberg Institute

Image Attachments Links:

   Link: http://asianetnews.net/view-attachment?attach-id=386654

   Caption: Prosperous and Green in the Anthropocene: The human right to a healthy

environment in Southeast Asia