Human Rights Council adopts resolution on human rights and the environment

The United Nations Human Rights Council adopted a resolution on human rights and the environment (A/HRC/25/L.31) in its twenty-fifth session. It its resolution, the Council notes with appreciation the reports of the Independent Expert on the issue of human rights obligations relating to the enjoyment of a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment.

In addition, it recognized that human rights law sets out certain procedural and substantive obligations on States in relation to the enjoyment of a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment, which include:

(a) To respect and protect the right to seek, receive and impart information and to provide information on and for assessments concerning environmental impacts on human rights;

(b) To respect and protect the rights of freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly, including by facilitating and providing for meaningful opportunities to participate in decision-making processes;

(c) To ensure access to effective remedies where human rights and fundamental freedoms are violated;

(d) To adopt and implement laws and other measures to ensure that human rights are respected and protected in the context of environmental policies; and,

(e) To protect against non-State human rights abuses, including by enforcing environmental laws that directly or indirectly contribute to the protection of human rights.

The Human Rights Council is the main intergovernmental body of the United Nations responsible for the promotion and protection of human rights. Eight of its 47 members belong to the Latin American and Caribbean region (Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Cuba, Mexico, Peru and Venezuela).