Event information

15 May 2024, 12:30-14:00
Register start 30 April 2024
Register end 15 May 2024

Downloads

Flyer >

KlimaSeniorinnen vs. Switzerland: Relevance for UN human rights mechanisms

Human Rights Conversations

KlimaSeniorinnen vs. Switzerland: Relevance for UN human rights mechanisms KlimaSeniorinnen vs. Switzerland: Relevance for UN human rights mechanisms

On 9th April 2024, the European Court of Human Rights delivered a groundbreaking decision with respect to human rights protection in the context of climate change. In Verein KlimaSeniorinnen Schweiz and Others v Switzerland, the Court found that states have an obligation to mitigate climate change under article 8 of the European Convention of Human Rights, which protects the right to respect for private and family life. The Court found that Switzerland, by failing to implement sufficient measures to combat climate change, violated the Convention.

As the issue of the interrelation between climate change and human rights becomes more and more important, this decision will bear significant implications in advancing climate justice litigation at the international, regional and domestic law levels. As also recognized by the European Court of Human Rights, there is now a convergence between different human rights bodies, including UN Special Rapporteurs, that the question is no longer whether, but how, human rights courts should address the impacts of environmental harms on the enjoyment of human rights.

This Human Rights Conversation, co-organized with the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL), aims at exploring the significance of this ruling by the European Court of Human Rights and assess how other human rights bodies can draw from this decision and further strengthen the interrelation between human rights and climate change and clarify the legal obligations of states in protecting human rights from environmental harm.

In particular, the discussion will explore the meaning and impact of regional human rights systems’ decisions for the debate at the UN level. On 5 April 2024, the Human Rights Council appointed Elisa Morgera as new mandate holder for the post of Special Rapporteur on Climate Change. The conversation between her and a representative of KlimaSeniorinnen Switzerland, will highlight the links between national, regional and international work in a concrete setting.

Moderation

Felix Kirchmeier
Executive Director, Geneva Human Rights Platform

Speakers

Elisa Morgera
UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights in the context of climate change

Anne Mahrer
Co-president, KlimaSeniorinnen Switzerland

Nahla Haidar
Member of the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW)

Francesca Mingrone
Staff Attorney, Center for International Environmental Law

About Human Rights Conversations

Human Rights Conversations are a series of events, hosted by the Geneva Human Rights Platform, aimed at discussing contemporary issues and challenges related to the promotion and protection of human rights in Geneva and beyond.

 

Disclaimer

This event may be filmed, recorded and/or photographed on behalf of the Geneva Academy. The Geneva Academy may use these recordings and photographs for internal and external communications for information, teaching and research purposes, and/or promotion and illustration through its various media channels (website, social media, newsletters, annual report, etc.).

By participating in this event, you are agreeing to the possibility of appearing in the aforementioned films, recordings and photographs, and their subsequent use by the Geneva Academy.

 

MORE ON THIS THEMATIC AREA

MENA Training GHRP News

Strengthening MENA Engagement with UN Human Rights Mechanisms: Second Edition of our Tailored Training

24 July 2025

Participants from six countries across the Middle East and North Africa region joined our customized training on the Geneva-based United Nations human rights mechanisms

Read more

Equality and Non Discrimination Book Cover News

Legal Understandings of Equality and Non-Discrimination Examined in New Publication

21 August 2025

Our new publication, Equality and Non-Discrimination, brings together cutting-edge scholarship on one of the most fundamental principles of international human rights law.

Read more

Special Rapporteur Sign Event

Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in an Era of Escalating Armed Conflict: Where Can International Human Rights Law Help?

25 September 2025, 18:30-20:00

This evening dialogue will present the publication: International Human Rights Law: A Treatise, Cambridge University Press (2025).

Read more

A general view of participants during of the 33nd ordinary session of the Human Rights Council. Training

The Universal Periodic Review and the UN Human Rights System: Raising the Bar on Accountability

10-14 November 2025

This training course will explore the origin and evolution of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) and its functioning in Geneva and will focus on the nature of implementation of the UPR recommendations at the national level.

Read more

Town Hall Meeting Training

Localizing International Human Rights

8-10 October 2025

This training course, specifically designed for staff of city and regional governments, will explore the means and mechanisms through which local and regional governments can interact with and integrate the recommendations of international human rights bodies in their concrete work at the local level.

Read more

View of a session of the UN Human Rights Council Project

Human Rights Conversations

Started in January 2020

A series of events aimed at discussing contemporary issues and challenges related to the promotion and protection of human rights in Geneva and beyond.

Read more

Panel Discussion: Project

Treaty Body Members’ Platform

Started in January 2014

The Treaty Body Members’ Platform connects experts in UN treaty bodies with each other as well as with Geneva-based practitioners, academics and diplomats to share expertise, exchange views on topical questions and develop synergies.

Read more

Cover of the 2023 Geneva Academy Annual Report Publication

Annual Report 2024

published on July 2025

Read more