As a leading force in the Iraqi environmental movement, Humat Dijlah stands at the forefront of advocating for the health of our planet and the justice humanity deserves. In light of the upcoming COP28 climate conference in the United Arab Emirates, our movement finds itself compelled to address the complexities surrounding the event, including the pressing issue of human suffering, especially in Gaza City.

The decision to boycott COP28 is not a symbolic gesture for us; it is a deep-rooted commitment to amplifying voices silenced by injustice. Our position emphasizes the fundamental connection between climate justice and humanitarian justice, while recognizing that discussions about climate justice must not overshadow the current suffering of innocent lives, especially those affected by the recent tragic events in Gaza City.

While we express our deepest condolences and condemn the loss of life, Humat Dijlah urges Iraqi governmental and non-governmental institutions to take a principled stand. The lives lost in Gaza City require not only remembrance but action. Our collective commitment to justice must extend beyond environmental concerns to include the human dimensions of the challenges we face.

The usurping entity’s participation in an official delegation at COP28 adds another layer of complexity to the moral landscape. For Humat Dijlah, this raises crucial questions about the sincerity of our commitment to justice. An entity with a history of human rights abuses attending an event dedicated to environmental well-being sends a contradictory message. We stress that the stain on humanity regarding human justice must be acknowledged before entering into climate discussions.

Climate justice, for us, cannot be separated from social justice. The plight of the Palestinian people, especially those living in Gaza, is not just a regional issue; it is a universal call to attention. Their plight is a stark reminder that climate change is exacerbating existing inequalities, affecting vulnerable communities disproportionately. As a movement deeply rooted in the Middle East, we cannot stand idly by.

For Iraq, our solidarity with the people of Gaza is a moral obligation and a testimony to our commitment to justice and humanity. The COP28 boycott offers Iraq an opportunity to lead by example, urging the international community to prioritize humanitarian justice alongside climate justice.

Humat Dijlah sees the COP28 boycott as a powerful tool to affirm collective conscience and insist that climate justice and humanitarian justice are intertwined. Our perspective underscores the need for a more nuanced approach to justice and a reassessment of the moral fabric of international discourse.

In conclusion, our movement views the COP28 boycott not only as a statement but as a transformative call to action. We call on the world to join us in championing justice on all fronts, reminding everyone that our struggle for a sustainable future must be inseparable from our struggle for a just and humane present.

Humat Dijlah Association