Human Rights Violations and Environmental Protection in Africa: Gunjur's Experiences

In Africa, the confluence of environmental preservation and human rights abuses, especially in relation to extractive industries, is a critical problem that impacts many communities. To demonstrate the intricacies and difficulties encountered by local populations in resource-rich regions, the Gunjur community provides a relevant case study. The Gunjur community has been greatly impacted by extractive industries like sand mining and fishing, despite being situated in an area rich in natural resources. Many people believe that these sectors are essential to economic growth, yet they also regularly cause serious environmental damage and violations of human rights. The experiences of the community serve as a reminder of the "resource curse," a larger pattern in which nations with abundant natural resources frequently experience more poverty, violent conflicts, and environmental damage as opposed to prosperity. The human rights-based approach focuses particularly on the requirement for 'meaningful participation’ and how a rights-based approach can provide a means to reconcile environmental protection, social development, and economic activities. The study's objective is to identify the relationship between human rights violations and the environment. Gambia is a signatory to major environmental agreements, including UNFCCC, UNBD, UNCCD, World Heritage Convention, and Kyoto Protocol, committing to sustainable environmental management and promoting biodiversity. The ACE Impact Project (2019) in The Gambia prioritizes environmental protection in sustainable development policies, adhering to political, legal, and regulatory frameworks for Gambian environmental management. The Gambia is experiencing a significant increase in environmental protection and human rights violations, which are crucial for the protection and enjoyment of human rights. Human rights and the environment are inseparable. The local ecology has been ruined by Gunjur's sand miners. Due to the sea's high tide, the area where sand is mined is submerged in water. Crocodiles and other aquatic creatures use the area as a breeding habitat. The study utilized an exploratory research design, collecting primary data through an interview guide with 20 respondents, including local Gunjur residents, sand miners, and Chinese fishmeal staff, and analyzing the results. The study shows the destruction of vegetation and women's gardens, encroaching sand miners in ecotourism areas, and a Chinese fishmeal factory affecting Gunjur's living standards. Waste products are dumped into the sea, causing a foul odor, and exporting fish products to China and other countries, violating UN Sustainable Development Goals.