The Head of the European Union Delegation to Sierra Leone, Ambassador Tom Vens, has on Thursday December 10, 2020, said the trade in timber poses a risk of environmental degradation even though it generates huge revenue in Sierra Leone.
He made this statement while he took lunch with journalists at the Country Lodge in Freetown during this year’s commemoration of global Human Rights Day.
He acknowledged the enormous power of the media to effect social, economic and ecological changes, and revealed that the EU plans to train 15 journalists on how to report mainly on issues relating to climate change and environmental degradation.
He cited that the EU is focusing on climate and environmental action as a means to preserve natural wealth and advance a wide range of related essential human rights; to health, food, water, education and even to life itself.
He noted that the level of environmental degradation is very worrisome, and added that a majority of person in affected areas were unaware of its pending danger on their environment.
“EU law imposes obligations of due diligence on importers of timber and certain minerals from conflict-affected areas, who are required to put in place processes to identify and mitigate adverse human rights and environmental impacts associated with their activities. Importantly, in approaching the issue of business and human rights, it is critical to do this also from the perspective of creating a level playing field,” Ambassador Vens said.
He said that rulers are responsible to create an atmosphere transparence around activities affecting the environment by tackling issues decisively, and cautioned that their focus should not only focus on scrutinizing large companies, but also on companies where the risks or evidence of abuse are high.
Deputy Head of the European Delegation, Jamila El Assaidi said that they would ensure that Journalist that are going to be trained become sustainable on their reporting on environmental issues.
She added that Journalist that would be fortunate for the training are encourage to put into practice what they have learnt which in turn would benefit and create changes in the country.
By George M.O. Williams
14/12/2020. ISSUE NO: 7966