ENVIRONMENTAL RIGHTS

Environmental rights have grown more rapidly than any other human right and are enshrined in over 100 constitutions. Tragically, whilst the right to a healthy environment is increasingly recognised, this right is increasingly violated. Irresponsible development projects and agri-businesses destroy our prospects of a safe, clean and healthy environment, as those fighting for these rights are killed at an average rate of four per week.
UN Environment supports the upholding of environmental rights through The Environmental Rights Initiative; which is a coalition of state and non-state actors united to promote, protect, and respect environmental rights.

Environmental Rights: Service

Environmental activist gives up his life for a clean Ganga river

Swami Gyan Swaroop Sanand, an 86-year-old environmental activist from India, died on 11 October 2018, 111 days into his fast. He was protesting inaction on keeping the Ganga River free from pollution and had been on a diet of water and honey since June but gave it up two days before his death stating: “My fast will end with my death.” Swami called for a free-flowing Ganga River with no illegal mining and dams, as well as a Ganga Protection Management Act. Read more...

Environmental rights under spotlight in Brazil

On 3rd September 2018, during the launch of the Environmental Rights Initiative in Brazil, UN Environment and its partners underscored their commitment to take on environmental rights issues and reiterated their efforts to protect environmental defenders from ongoing intimidation, threats and murder. Among those defenders who recounted harrowing experiences of intimidation and harassment was Maria do Socorro, who has been leading communities from the Amazon against alleged land-grabbing, corruption and pollution for over 10 years. Read more...

Latin American and Caribbean countries sign historic treaty giving environmental rights the same status as human rights

Global Witness reports that Latin America and the Caribbean has consistently the highest number of murders of environmental defenders in the world. The Escazu Agreement enacts binding provisions for Latin America and the Caribbean States to equip their citizens with information, judicial corrections and spaces for public participation in environmental matters concerning them. The Regional Agreement was adopted on 4 March 2018 in Escazú by 24 nations and almost two thirds of them have already signed the treaty. Read more...

Iran charges five wildlife activists with capital offences

In January, at least nine activists were detained in mass arrests of environmentalists, with five of them charged with crimes punishable by death, carried out by the Iranian Revolutionary Guards, the elite forces that act independently of Rouhani’s government and have huge influence within the country’s conservative-dominated judiciary. Concerns about environmental challenges, including water shortages, were a trigger for nationwide protests that began early this year before taking on a wider political dimension. Read more...

South East Asian Forest Defenders in support of an Environmental Defenders Declaration

At a Forest Defenders Conference held in August 2018 in Chiang Mai, Thailand, environmental defenders, non-governmental organizations, media representatives, academics and inter-governmental organizations came together to learn about the challenges and security needs of environmental defenders in South East Asia, in their bid to fight for environmental rights. The meeting assembled approximately 60 participants from South East Asia and across the world, who recognized the importance on having an Environmental Defenders Declaration. Read more...