Despite restrictions, protesters pressure countries to reach an ambitious agreement at COP28

2023-12-09 17:16:09

The Global March for Climate Justice broke the unusual silence that has marked the United Nations Conference on Climate Change (COP28), in Dubai, due to the restrictions imposed on protests by the United Arab Emirates. The biggest demonstration of the event brought together thousands of people this Saturday (9) in the corridors of the conference center, where representatives from 195 countries gathered.

Published on: 12/09/2023 – 16:16Modified on: 12/09/2023 – 16:20

4 min

Lucia Müzellsent special from RFI a Dubai

For the second year in a row, after Egypt in 2022, the mass protest organized by civil society and environmental NGOs – a tradition of the COPs – is restricted to the conference spaces. Street demonstrations, like those that mobilized tens of thousands of people in Glasgow, in 2021, or in Copenhagen, in 2009, are prohibited by the country hosting the conference, the United Arab Emirates – whether due to the weather or for any other reason.

This afternoon, the date set for the mobilization, the Emiratis were seen on the sidelines of the march organized by the NGOs, but they limited themselves to filming the event, without participating.

“This is the first COP, but we felt from the moment we arrived in the country that there was oppression”, points out Brazilian quilombola Valesca. “Protesting for the climate is not a choice for me: it is a question of survival. I am demonstrating my discontent with environmental policies, which do not include the climate emergency and this affects my existence.”

Valesca has felt the climate of repression in the United Arab Emirates since arriving in the country. (09/12/2023) © Lúcia Müzell/ RFI

Watermelons at the protest

Protesters could shout slogans, but without naming any specific country, leader, project or company. They also could not carry the flags of any country as a sign of support, such as that of Palestine or the small islands in the Pacific, considered territories more vulnerable to climate change.

Many circumvented the rules with irony, representing the Palestinian colors – green, red, black and white – with drawings of watermelons. During the procession, they chanted “Ceasefire now! End of occupation”, interspersed with phrases such as “climate justice now”.

José Luiz (right) protested for the preservation of the Amazon, where he lives. (09/12/2023) © Lúcia Müzell/ RFI

“What they are discussing inside are threats to the Amazon territories. We have survived for centuries in our traditional territories and we need them to be free from exploitation”, said Brazilian protester José Luís, regarding the Brazilian government’s projects to open new fronts of oil on the equatorial margin of the country.

“We don’t have space to participate in COP negotiations, as we are the ones who live in the Amazon and protect their territory”, he added, who came from Salvaterra, a quilombola territory on Ilha do Marajó, in Belém do Pará.

Strict rules

Since the beginning of the conference, activists have been able to organize demonstrations, but under a series of conditions: they require prior authorization and are limited to 25 minutes – timed by United Nations security agents, who organize the protests. Acts can only take place in the entrance area of ​​the blue zone, administered by the UN and where negotiations take place. Therefore, only accredited participants for COP28 can have access.

Furthermore, protests were only authorized from the fourth day of the conference, after the departure of presidents and heads of government from COP28. “It is undoubtedly a quieter COP than usual, but that doesn’t mean we will stop showing our dissatisfaction,” said Matthew, from the organization Worker Justice Now.

Protesters demand that the target of a maximum of 1.5°C of global warming be maintained. © Lúcia Müzell/ RFI

Outside COP28 – a space managed by the UN – any demonstration is subject to repression and its organizers are subject to arrest.

Freedom of expression also affects the press: journalists are prohibited from filming in the country beyond the conference limits. To carry out reports in the city, you must seek prior authorization from the authorities. The process takes days and requires explanations about the date, place, time and identity of the people who will be filmed.