Runa khan at HRC61: Climate change, a lived violation of basic rights for many

13.03.26

UN Geneva – Runa Khan, Founder and Director of Friendship, our member organisation from Bangladesh, was among the four civil society speakers selected to deliver an intervention during the annual High Level Segment of the 61st session of the UN Human Rights Council. In her statement, she called on governments to take responsibility and act for climate justice.

“Climate change is not just an environmental emergency, it is a daily, lived violation of basic rights for many.”

Runa’s statement frames climate change as a profound threat to fundamental human rights, particularly for the world’s poorest communities, who suffer displacement and disaster despite contributing least to the crisis. Drawing on more than two decades of experience working with climate-displaced populations, especially in Bangladesh, she highlighted both their resilience and the urgent challenges they face. Her remarks emphasized that dignity, health, and hope are not luxuries but essential elements of survival. She urged the Council to move beyond charity and short-term crisis management and instead embrace responsibility for global equity and climate justice, with a particular attention to protecting women and children.

Runa’s video message can also be watched on UN WebTV – it begins at 1:55:50.

As we have highlighted on many occasions, mothers and their children are disproportionately affected by the climate crisis.

As noted in a recent policy brief, climate change represents a major maternal physical and mental health challenge that remains largely overlooked, with significant consequences for children as well.
Like most crises, climate change also increases unpaid care work, which is already disproportionately shouldered by women, in particular when they are mothers. It exacerbates pre-existing inequalities, leaving the most vulnerable populations – such as those served by Friendship in Bangladesh – disproportionately affected.

Runa Khan’s message, supported by Make Mothers Matter, reminded the Council that climate change is a critical human rights issue, calling for action that centers dignity, equity, and justice for those most affected.