Geneva (22 October 2015) – In an open statement* published today, a group of United Nations human rights experts have expressed their strong support for the efforts by governments in Latin America and the Caribbean to agree on a regional legal instrument on rights of access to information, participation, and…
UN rights expert in first official visit to the Republic of Korea
GENEVA (8 October 2015) – The United Nations Special Rapporteur on hazardous substance and waste, Baskut Tuncak, will visit the Republic of Korea from 12 to 23 October 2015 to assess the country’s human rights record in relation to the life cycle of hazardous substances and wastes from their manufacturing…
States and businesses must prevent harm from highly hazardous pesticides
GENEVA (28 September 2015) – Two United Nations experts on hazardous substance and waste and right to food have called today for an worldwide phase-out on use of highly hazardous pesticides that are inflicting significant damage on human health and the environment. The experts’ appeal comes as States, businesses and…
Statement at the 4th Session of the International Conference on Chemical Management
28 September 2015 Mr. President, excellencies, distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen: Thank you for the opportunity to speak to you today—a crucial meeting with the potential to set the pace and trajectory of efforts to achieve the sound management of chemicals globally. Nine years ago, SAICM participants made an explicit…
States and businesses must do more to realize the right to information about hazardous substances
GENEVA (17 September 2015) – “People have a right to know whether they are being exposed to hazardous substances or may be harmed by them,” United Nations human rights expert, Baskut Tuncak, said today, while calling on States and business enterprises to do more to realize the right to information…
Statement at the 30th session of the Human Rights Council
16 September 2015 Excellencies, distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen: Today I am presenting my first full report to the Human Rights Council on the right to information in the context of hazardous substances and wastes, and the report of my mission to Kazakhstan. I would at the outset like to…
China: UN human rights expert calls for greater transparency in the wake of tragic Tianjin explosion
GENEVA (19 August 2015) – The United Nations Special Rapporteur on human rights and hazardous substances and wastes, Baskut Tuncak, today called on the Government of China and relevant businesses to ensure complete transparency in the investigation of the chemical disaster in Tianjin, including both causes and effects of the…
Climate Change and Human Rights – Joint statement on the occasion of World Environment Day
(5 June 2015) This year, World Environment Day occurs during a meeting of the Ad Hoc Working Group on the Durban Platform for Enhanced Action (ADP), which is meeting in Bonn, Germany, to negotiate a climate agreement to be adopted this December in Paris. The theme for World Environment Day…
More efforts needed to protect people from exposure to toxic substances – UN expert urges WHO
GENEVA (20 May 2015) – “Far more effort and resources should be devoted worldwide to protect people from the negative health impacts of toxic pollution,” the United Nations Special Rapporteur on human rights and hazardous substances and wastes, Baskut Tuncak, said today. Mr. Tuncak’s call comes as the governing body…
For World Day for Safety and Health at Work 28 April 2015
“Every minute, a person dies from exposure to toxic substances” – UN rights expert calls for urgent action GENEVA (24 April 2015) – Ahead of World Day for Safety and Health at Work, the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights and hazardous substances and wastes, Baskut Tuncak, urged the global…