Majuro, Marshall Islands – On October 8, 2024, President Heine received a courtesy visit from the Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons, Ms. Paula Gaviria Betancur.
During their meeting, Ms. Betancur articulated her mission with a goal to understand the complexities surrounding internal displacement in the region, particularly those linked to the Marshall Islands’ nuclear legacy and the multifaceted impacts of climate change. She expressed optimism for favorable results for the Marshall Islands with its strong engagements with the United Nations and the Human Rights Council (HRC).
In the coming days, Ms. Betancur intends to engage directly with affected communities from Ejit, Kwajalein, Ebeye, and Mejatto through site visits and stakeholder consultations. Her itinerary also includes meetings with national and local government officials, Nitijela members, the Council of Iroij, and representatives from various civil society organizations, and internally displaced persons, to ensure a holistic view of the internal displacement landscape.
At the end of her visit, Ms. Betancur will present preliminary findings on Monday, October 14, 2024, with a full report scheduled for release at the 59th session of the HRC in June 2025. This report will build upon the findings of the HRC’s report on the nuclear legacy along with climate impacts to address the challenges and barriers to the full realizations of human rights for the people of the Marshall Islands.
President Heine acknowledged the significance of Ms. Betancur’s work, highlighting its potential to support the RMI’s efforts on a Changed Circumstances Petition (CCP) with the United States — a critical mechanism for addressing nuclear-related issues, health concerns, and community displacement, among others.
