Manipur’s Licypriya Kangujam grabbed
everyone’s attention when the 12 years’ old climate activist dashed on to the
stage at the United Nations Climate Conference of Parties or COP28 in Dubai
with placard above her head that read, “End fossil fuels. Save our planet and
our future.”
Kangujam delivered a brief speech after
rushing on the stage, protesting against the use of fossil fuels for which she
received a round of applause from the audience before being escorted away.
COP28 Director-General Ambassador Majid
Al Suwaidi said he admired the young girl’s enthusiasm and encouraged audience to
give her another round of applause.
Sharing the video on X, the young activist
from Northeastern State of Manipur expressed, “They detained me for over 30
minutes after this protest. My only crime – Asking to Phase Out Fossil Fuels,
the top cause of climate crisis today. Now they kicked me out of COP28.”
In another post on X she expressed
anguish, “What is the reason to cease my badge for protesting against the
fossil fuels? If you’re really standing against the fossil fuels, then you must
support me and you must immediately release my badges. This is gross violation
and abuse of Child Rights in the UN premises which is against the UN principle.
I have the rights to raise my voice at UN.”
The 12-year-old is a Special Envoy of
Timor Leste.
Among close to 200 countries, many clashed
over a possible deal to phase out fossil fuels at the COP28 summit after activists
designated Saturday as a day of protest.
It jeopardized attempts to deliver a
first-ever commitment to eventually end the use of oil and gas in 30 years of
global warming talks.
But the rules of the game in the tightly
controlled United Arab Emirates at the location supervised by the United
Nations meant sharp restrictions.
Public protests have been limited at the
United Nations conversations that are being held in the UAE, which prohibits many
organized groups, including political parties and labour unions.
NE Watch Desk