[Duurzaamlijst] UN body addresses links between environment and human rights

["Wytze de Lange" <wdl@xminy.nl>]

On 1 May 2001, at 14:28, Right to Water wrote:
Posted: 05/01/2001  By  svarghese@iatp.org	

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UN body addresses the links between the environment and human
rights


LIVING FREE OF POLLUTION CALLED BASIC HUMAN RIGHT


NEW YORK, New York, April 30, 2001 (ENS) - In a historic move, the United
Nations (UN) Commission on Human Rights has concluded that everyone has
the right to live in a world free from toxic pollution and environmental
degradation. 


In a statement issued from its Nairobi Headquarters, the UN Environment
Programme (UNEP) hailed the Commission's decision to invite High
Commissioner for Human Rights Mary Robinson and UNEP Executive Director
Klaus Toepfer to organize a seminar on strengthening environmental and
human rights principles. 


"Many of the fundamental rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of
Human Rights have significant environmental dimensions," Toepfer said.
"Environmental conditions clearly help to determine the extent to which
people enjoy their basic rights to life, health, adequate food and
housing, and traditional livelihood and culture. It is time to recognize
that those who pollute or destroy the natural environment are not just
committing a crime against nature, but are violating human rights as
well." 


The successful implementation of international environmental treaties on
biodiversity, climate change, desertification and chemicals can make a
major contribution to protecting human rights, Toepfer added. 


The results of the seminar will be considered at the Commission's next
session in March 2002 and will feed into the review of progress towards
sustainable development that has been achieved since the 1992 Rio Earth
Summit. This 10 year review will form the basis for the World Summit on
Sustainable Development, to be convened in Johannesburg in September
2002. 


The Commission's decision, which marks the first time the UN body has
addressed the links between the environment and human rights, was taken
at the conclusion of its 57th session in Geneva on Friday. 


Source: http://ens.lycos.com/ens/apr2001/2001L-04-30-09.html



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