In September 2020, young Portuguese people sued more than 30 countries, saying the climate crisis was violating their right to life, to protect private and family life, and to live without discrimination. The Portuguese plaintiffs, aged between 10 and 23, are represented by GLAN lawyers (Global Legal Action Network). The case was represented by a team of ten British lawyers, and the case was taken to court with the help of crowdfunding.
The case will be discussed by the 17-judge Council of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) later this year – Glan, who represents youth, responded to HVG’s inquiry.
Sophia Oliveira, one of the 17-year-old plaintiffs said:
Even compared to last year, we saw more stifling heat waves in Portugal this year. We now hope that the court will hear the case as soon as possible and persuade European governments to take the urgent measures necessary to protect us.
Watchman This has been reportedthat only the most serious questions reach the Grand Council of 17 judges, only three out of a thousand in the case of litigation.
In addition, the lawsuit was brought by young people against the governments of 33 countries, so many countries have never had to defend themselves before any court or international body: the defendants are Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, the Czech Republic and Germany. , Greece, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Croatia, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Latvia, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Slovakia the United Kingdom and Turkey. The court is currently suspending the proceedings against Ukraine.
Hearing an unprecedented volume may have important consequences:
If the Supreme Court rules in favor of the plaintiffs, it will force European governments to take drastic action to stop the climate crisis.
In this case, governments will be obligated not only to intensify the reduction of emissions, but also to deal with the global pollution of multinational corporations.
Cover image source: Andia / Universal Images Group via Getty Images
