Exploring Challenges, Opportunities & Alliances for the Protection of Small-scale Fishers’ Human Rights

This two-hours roundtable is organized by the One Ocean Hub with the support and technical assistance of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). The event will explore the need for a comprehensive understanding of the human rights of small-scale fishers and how different mandates across the United Nations System can contribute to enhancing the protection of the human rights of small-scale fishers, fisherworkers, and their communities. This event will bring together the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, FAO, and representatives of small-scale fishers, national human rights institution, and researchers to share views on key challenges for the protection of SSF’ human rights.

This roundtable discussion is aimed to advance awareness of the need for a holistic approach to the protection of the human rights of small-scale fishers and fish workers, and to explore the different UN mandates that can contribute and opportunities to better international support for small-scale fishers representatives and advocates. The key messages identified during the roundtable discussion will be shared with other partners and international fora for further dialogue and action as part of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture.

Panellists
• Elisa Morgera, Director, One Ocean Hub
• Nicole Franz, Fishery Planning Officer, FAO
• David Boyd, UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment
• Sisay Yeshanew, Development Law Specialist, FAO
• Eastern Cape traditional small-scale fisher, South Africa
• Jones Thomas Spartagus and Md. Mujibul Haque Munir, International Planning Committee for Food Sovereignty
• Sebastian Mathew, International Collective in Support of Fishworkers,
• Sille Stidsen, the Danish Institute for Human Rights
• Dr Bolanle Erinosho, University of Cape Coast, Ghana
• Dr Tapiwa Warikandwa, University of Namibia, Namibia