Young environmental activist from Indonesia, Aeshnina Azzahra Aqilani, called on the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) to strengthen protections for children from the impacts of climate change and environmental pollution.
Speaking at the AICHR Regional Workshop on Gender Lens Perspective in Business and Human Rights in Kuala Lumpur, Nina stated that the voices of young people are still often ignored by governments, even though they are among the most vulnerable groups in the climate and pollution crisis. “As a young person, I feel invisible. My voice feels meaningless and ignored by the government,” said Nina, Coordinator of the River Warrior Indonesia Community, quoted on Thursday, July 3, 2025.
She added that
although she has repeatedly sent letters to the Indonesian government regarding
the global plastic waste trade, there has been no concrete response so far.
“The European Union, on the other hand, responded to my letter and promised to
stop exporting plastic waste to Indonesia by November 2026.”
Nina, who has long been actively campaigning against the import of plastic waste from developed countries, proposed three key principles for a child-friendly complaint system: recognition, protection, and concrete action. She emphasized the importance of recognizing children as rights holders, providing safe reporting channels, and establishing formal agreements between governments, industry, and communities to ensure justice without the need to go viral on social media.
“We want a
system that includes education and mentoring for children. Reporting pollution
should not feel like shouting into a bottle—it should feel like opening a door
to change,” she said.
Southeast Asia is one
of the most disaster-prone regions in the world and home to a quarter of the
global child population. According to UNICEF data, 140 million children are
highly exposed to water scarcity, while 460 million children breathe polluted air.
In Indonesia, more than 90% of rivers are contaminated by industrial, domestic,
and chemical waste. Open burning of plastic waste is also still common,
including in villages where plastic is used as fuel for tofu production.
Nina highlighted how
pollution also affects children’s mental health. A survey of 1,183 Gen Z
respondents found that 93.2% feel anxious about the climate crisis and plastic
pollution. “Many young people are experiencing climate-related stress and
anxiety, especially girls who also face additional social pressures,” Nina
said.
A UNICEF report
titled “Violence Against Children: The
Forgotten Impact of Climate Change” (April 2025) also revealed that girls
are disproportionately affected by climate-related disasters, facing increased
risks of child marriage, gender-based violence, and health issues such as
dengue fever and diabetes due to exposure to unhealthy food and environments.
According to Nina,
the root of the problem lies in business practices that disregard the
environment in pursuit of profit. She called for the genuine enforcement of
environmental laws—not just regulations on paper. “Polluting companies must be
fined or shut down. The government must create safe spaces for people to report
and support victims, especially women and children.”
“Clean water, clean air, and a safe home are not luxuries—they are human rights,” she emphasized. Nina concluded her appeal by urging industries to comply with waste management standards, particularly in hazardous sectors like plastics and mining.
Source : https://betahita.id/news/detail/11213/orang-muda-melaporkan-pencemaran-seperti-berteriak-dalam-botol.html?v=1751682213
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