Political strategies to prevent, prepare for and face the consequences of natural disasters
Recommendation 2251
(2023)
- Author(s):
- Parliamentary Assembly
- Origin
- Assembly
debate on 26 April 2023 (12th sitting) (see Doc. 15738 and addendum report of the Committee on Social Affairs, Health and
Sustainable Development, rapporteur: Mr Simon Moutquin). Text adopted by the Assembly on
26 April 2023 (12th sitting).
1. The Parliamentary Assembly refers
to its
Resolution 2493
(2023) “Political strategies to prevent, prepare for
and face the consequences of natural disasters”. It deplores the
destruction, suffering and insecurity that every natural disaster
brings. Due to the human causes of the climate crisis, these disasters
are set to become a chronic threat, with serious repercussions on
human well-being, including high human and economic costs.
2. Natural disasters have a significant impact on most human
rights, such as the rights to life and physical integrity; rights
related to basic needs; security of property; economic, social and
cultural rights; and civil and political rights. Any natural disaster
has a profound effect on society and in particular its resilience,
namely its ability to overcome risks, conflicts and political change.
The consequences of the earthquake in Türkiye and Syria will be
felt for decades to come, including with regard to migratory flows.
3. In the midst of the profound epochal and paradigm shift that
we are experiencing, the Council of Europe remains the guardian
of the rule of law in Europe and a bulwark against threats to human
rights and democracy, including against the effects of the Anthropocene
era. The Assembly underlines the need to learn from each disaster
in order to improve the continent’s climate resilience. Referring
to
Recommendation 2214
(2021) “The climate crisis and the rule of law”, it stresses
the role of the rule of law in strengthening the capacity of institutions
to play their role with due regard for the separation of powers
and when faced with adversity.
4. In its
Recommendation 2211
(2021) “Anchoring the right to a healthy environment:
need for enhanced action by the Council of Europe”, the Assembly
called on Europe to protect the right to a “safe, clean, healthy and
sustainable environment”. In view of the 4th Summit of Heads of
State and Government of the Council of Europe to be held in Reykjavik
(Iceland), which will set the Organisation’s strategy in the 21st
century, including in relation to the climate crisis, the Assembly
firmly reiterates this call and asks the Committee of Ministers
to:
4.1 draw up an additional protocol
to the European Convention on Human Rights (ETS No. 5) on the right
to a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment, based on
the terminology used by the United Nations and on the text appended
to
Recommendation 2211
(2021);
4.2 draw up an additional protocol to the European Social
Charter (ETS No. 35) and the European Social Charter (revised) (ETS
No. 163) on the right to a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment;
4.3 finalise the feasibility study for a “Five Ps” convention
on environmental threats and technological hazards threatening human
health, dignity and life;
4.4 revise Recommendation CM/Rec(2016)3 on human rights and
business, with a view to strengthening corporate environmental responsibility
for the adequate protection of the human right to a safe, clean,
healthy and sustainable environment.
5. Recalling the ground-breaking role played by the European
and Mediterranean Major Hazards Agreement (EUR-OPA Major Hazards
Agreement), the Assembly emphasises the value of the agreement in preparing
standards: its approach founded on human rights and democratic participation
and its regional dimension are still appropriate today, as they
ensure that no one is isolated or without assistance.
6. The Assembly regrets the general lack of investment by member
States in Council of Europe instruments focusing on nature, landscape
and major hazards, and the inexorable disengagement over the past
twenty years. It therefore invites the Committee of Ministers to
consider these instruments part of the core mandate of the Organisation
and accordingly to incorporate funding for their activities in the
ordinary budget of the Council of Europe, while at the same time
ensuring that its work benefits all member States. It calls on the
Committee of Ministers to put the right to a safe, clean, healthy
and sustainable environment at the top of the agenda of the 4th
Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Council of Europe.
7. The Assembly congratulates the European Commission on the
speed and efficiency of the European Union Civil Protection Mechanism
activated a few hours after the earthquake on 6 February 2023 and
on the organisation of the donors’ conference on 20 March 2023.
In the light of the experience gathered on the ground and as proof
of sincere co-operation with international humanitarian organisations,
it invites the European Commission to consider introducing co-operation
without intermediaries, including for funding, so as to facilitate
such organisations’ deployment in the emergency phase of extreme
events.
8. The Assembly wishes that, beyond the 4th Summit, the Council
of Europe, with its working method based on human rights, co-operation
between peers and democratic participation, will remain a leading
forum for discussing solutions based on taking into account nature,
landscape and major hazards. It calls on the Committee of Ministers
to step up co-operation with the United Nations in setting standards
for the prevention, forecasting and monitoring of extreme events
and to co-ordinate its work with that of the European Union. Such co-operation
should promote the sharing of good practice and strengthen solidarity
between peers, whether professionals or volunteers, in the fight
against extreme events. It should aim to improve the management
of natural hazards and further empower those directly affected by
disasters to help themselves.
