The Independent Expert on the issue of human rights obligations relating to the enjoyment of a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment, John H. Knox, presented his report to the twenty-eighth session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland on 9 March.
In his report, focusing on good practices in the use of human rights obligations relating to the environment, the expert made reference to procedural and substantive obligations, including the publication of environmental information, the facilitation of public participation in environmental decision-making, the protection of the rights of expression and association, the access to legal remedies, transboundary environmental harm, and the obligations relating to non-State actors and to members of groups in vulnerable situations.
Moreover, he noted his participation at the fourth meeting of the focal points of the Principle 10 regional process and the beginning of the negotiations of a new regional agreement with a view to conclude by December 2016. According to the expert, the Latin American and Caribbean initiative will provide, together with the Aarhus Convention, invaluable models to other regions.
