Declaration of the Rights of the Mediterranean Bioregion

Summary

To address the ecological crisis in the Mediterranean, an international initiative has been launched calling for the recognition of the Mediterranean Bioregion as a legal entity and subject of rights. The initiative seeks a legally binding Declaration at the regional and international levels – similar to other international environmental instruments such as the Bern Convention – to permanently protect and restore the region for all living beings.

The Declaration of the Rights of the Mediterranean was launched in October 2022 at the University of Palermo in Sicily for the occasion of the Mediterranean Biennale. The Declaration seeks to recognize the inherent rights of the Mediterranean Bioregion and all beings within it, including but not limited to:
the right to exist, to thrive, and to be respected
the right to clean water, clean air, and integral health
the right to maintain ecological integrity, free from pollution, contamination, and destructive human activities
the right to regenerate biological capacity and continue natural cycles
the right to prompt restoration following rights violations caused by human activity

Ecological Context
The Mediterranean is one of the world’s most climate-vulnerable regions, warming approximately 20% faster than the global average. It is recognized as a global biodiversity hotspot, hosting an estimated 7–10% of the world’s marine species despite covering less than 1% of the ocean’s surface. Rising sea temperatures, intensifying heatwaves, overfishing, pollution, and habitat loss are placing unprecedented pressure on ecosystems and coastal communities, with approximately 21% of assessed species now classified as vulnerable, 11% as endangered, and 25% as threatened, with several sepecies already extinct or extinct in the wild.

The Declaration was drafted in cooperation with Zoe Lujic, Somabha Bandopadhay, and Rachele Adams from Earth Law Center. At the core of this initiative is the belief that justice and dignity should extend beyond political borders and that collaborative action is needed to defend Mediterranean rights. The initiative aims to raise awareness of violations, support grassroots and community efforts, collaborate with NGOs, academics, and policymakers, and promote peace and intercultural dialogue across the region. The organizers invite activists, researchers, policymakers, and concerned citizens to sign or endorse the Declaration, and urge engagement to defend and advance the rights of the Mediterranean Bioregion.

Involved Organizations