{"id":66523,"date":"2024-10-31T13:44:04","date_gmt":"2024-10-31T06:44:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/southeastasia\/?p=66523"},"modified":"2026-04-13T14:26:14","modified_gmt":"2026-04-13T07:26:14","slug":"bang-nees-fight-for-marine-justice-at-the-cop-16-side-event-on-protecting-marine-coastal-and-island-biodiversity","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/southeastasia\/story\/66523\/bang-nees-fight-for-marine-justice-at-the-cop-16-side-event-on-protecting-marine-coastal-and-island-biodiversity\/","title":{"rendered":"Bang Nee’s Fight for Marine Justice at the COP 16 Side Event on Protecting Marine, Coastal, and Island Biodiversity"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

At a recent side event hosted by the United Nations Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner, a dedicated environmental rights defender and a fisherman from Chana, Thailand, Bang Nee Rungrueang Rahmanyah, shared the struggles and hopes of his community. The event, titled Advancing a Human Rights-Based Approach to Protecting Marine, Coastal, and Island Biodiversity<\/em>, was a platform to highlight the vital role of communities in safeguarding these fragile ecosystems and the human rights issues they face while doing so.<\/p>\n\n

Alongside human rights rapporteur Astrid Puentas Riano and a community member from Madagascar, Bang Nee provided insight into the challenges his community has endured and the united resilience that keeps them fighting.<\/p>\n\n

\"Bang
The 16th UN Biodiversity Conference, CBD COP16 is taking place in Cali, Colombia. This year’s biodiversity summit must achieve the successful implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework adopted at CBD COP15, addressing the shared root causes of the biodiversity and climate crises, as well as the shared solution, which must centre on justice and solutions led by Indigenous Peoples.
\u00a9 Nathalia Angarita \/ Greenpeace<\/div><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n
\n

“We are not asking for sympathy; we are striving to protect the sea that belongs to everyone, yet we are treated unjustly.”<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n

A Lifetime of Struggles and Resilience<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n

“Our community has faced countless battles,” Bang Nee said, speaking from his heart. From destructive fishing practices to the threat of large-scale projects such as gas plants, power stations, and deep-sea ports, his village has had to stand up repeatedly for its right to a healthy and sustainable environment. \u201cWe have tried to raise our concerns with government bodies, from the local level to the parliament, but we have not received cooperation or attention.\u201d<\/p>\n\n

Every effort to protect their land and water costs the community greatly, both financially and emotionally. People sacrifice their livelihoods, time, and even risk legal consequences just to have their voices heard. “No one wants to leave their home and sleep on the street or face charges that could lead to prison,” he shared. “We are not asking for sympathy; we are striving to protect the sea that belongs to everyone, yet we are treated unjustly.”<\/p>\n\n

Astrid Puentas Riano, Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment, echoed Bang Nee\u2019s voice by highlighting state\u2019s obligations to protect marine environments, urging countries to implement climate and marine protections into national plans and enforce these commitments and enabling communities to participate in marine management.<\/p>\n\n

\"Global
Coastal communities in Chana District, Songkhla hold a banner with the message “Let us be part of protecting our home” to highlight the importance of community\u2019s participation in sustainable conservation and utilisation of natural resources, including fisheries, agriculture, mangroves, beach, forest, and tourism. Their goal is to protect the seas, defend the rights of coastal communities, and promote environmental equity.
\u00a9 Greenpeace \/ Puchong Saelao<\/div><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n

Community-Driven Policy Making<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n

Despite these challenges, the community has developed strength from within. The communities have established youth groups and conducted joint data collection on their resources, building a shared understanding of the importance of their environment. This work has evolved into a community-driven approach to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially those linked to food security and marine conservation. Yet, Bang Nee pointed out a harsh irony: “The government and private sector often speak of the SDGs as their objectives but frequently act in ways that contradict these goals.”<\/p>\n\n

Bang Nee emphasized that communities like his want the right to shape their own future. They want to make decisions about their land and water\u2014decisions that are for the good of all, not just a few.<\/p>\n\n

A Call for Global Support and Recognition<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n

In closing, both Bang Nee and his community counterpart, Hanta, called for more concrete measures to support their advocacy. “We need agency over our resources and acknowledgement of our rights,” Hanta said. Asserting that communities must be included in national decision-making processes, Bang Nee called for consistent financial support for marine conservation. “It\u2019s lonely work when we\u2019re left to fight for ourselves.\u201d<\/p>\n\n

Bang Nee and Hanta\u2019s message was clear: resource mobilization and the rights of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities must be central to negotiations on marine protection negotiation. By placing communities at the heart of policy decisions, the COP can help ensure these vital ecosystems are protected by those who know them best.<\/p>\n\n

This event was a vivid reminder of the tireless efforts of environmental human rights defenders and the crucial role they play in safeguarding the planet for future generations. For people like Bang Nee, it\u2019s not just about policies on paper\u2014it\u2019s a fight to protect their home, their heritage, and the world we all share.<\/p>\n\n

Last Quote from Bang Nee: <\/strong>“We are not asking for sympathy; we are striving to protect the sea that belongs to everyone, yet we are treated unjustly.”<\/p>\n\n

Nichanan Tanthanawit is the Global Project Lead for the Ocean Justice Campaign and Rayhan Dudayev is the Senior Regional Campaign Strategist (Legal and Political) in Greenpeace Southeast Asia.<\/em><\/p>\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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