Egyptian activists launch petition against 'hijacking' of COP27 to serve non-environmental purposes

CAIRO - 9 November 2022: A number of Egyptian activists and politicians have launched a petition to the Secretary-General of the United Nations to reject the "hijaking" of the climate change summit by some civil society organizations who used COP27 sessions to serve goals that has nothing to do with environmental issues.

In the petition, the activists wrote:

From the 6th to 18th of November, Egypt is  hosting the 27th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP27). Which Egypt worked hard after the 26th edition in Glasgow, in cooperation with the United Nations, to organize it and bring it out in the best way to bring together all the leaders and actors in the world concerned with preserving the environment in one place; To discuss the great challenges facing our planet.

Unfortunately , just  48 hours after the start of the conference, the signatories of this statement were surprised that there are some international groups and organizations that seek to hijack the conference, distance it from its real goals, and use it to serve goals that have nothing to do with environmental issues, the dangers of climate change, or the rules and traditions of the international conferences. 

Accordingly, the signatories to this statement call on you to immediately intervene with the powers and decisions of the United Nations on the course of events and sessions in the conference; To return the conference to its right track, which is concerned with the search for creating a real international consensus for the protection of the environment and the climate.

Sharm el-Sheikh city is hosting the COP27 summit, which is global action to stop climate change and adapt to its effects.

The petition is believed to have been triggered by an incident that took place Tuesday during one of the sessions at COP27, which was addressing human rights in relation to environmental issues. 

Egyptian well-known senior lawyer and gender consultant Nehad Abul Komsan, who attended the session, took to her social media platforms to criticize what she described as lack of free of speech, after Activist Sanaa Seif, sister of imprisoned activist Alaa Seif, did not allow Abu Komsan from asking her question. 

Abu Komsan spoked about ill-management of the session, which has not given much time for audience to share their thoughts or questions, saying “They don’t want to listen to anyone except themselves.”

She further said that she wanted to ask a question about Alaa's "incitement," citing tweets that Alaa previously posted, but she was not allowed to complete her question.  

On December 20, 2021, an emergency court of the Egyptian State Supreme Security sentenced Abdel Fattah to 5 years in prison on charges of "publishing false news, with the intent of disturbing public peace and stability.” Abdell Fattah was arrested in September 2019 and was placed on the terror list along with other defendants.