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…
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…
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…
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…
UN expert calls for stronger measures to protect people living in toxic environments in Kazakhstan
ASTANA (8 April 2015) – United Nations Special Rapporteur on human rights and hazardous substances and wastes, Baskut Tuncak, today called on the Government of Kazakhstan to step up efforts in protecting those who live in environmentally high-risk areas. Mr. Tuncak, speaking at the end of an official visit to…
UN human rights expert announces his first official visit to Kazakhstan
GENEVA / ASTANA (23 March 2015) – United Nations Special Rapporteur Baskut Tuncak will visit Kazakhstan from 26 March to 8 April 2015 to assess the country’s human rights record regarding the management of hazardous substances and wastes. “The realisation of several human rights, including the right to life, the…
Peru / Indigenous peoples: “New oil project threatens further harm for human rights victims”
GENEVA / LIMA (15 December 2014) – The proposed re-licensing of heavily polluted land in the Department of Loreto region of Peru would perpetuate and exacerbate serious violations of human rights of indigenous peoples, including their right to health, food and water, two United Nations experts on indigenous peoples and…
UN independent experts urge practical measures to eradicate racial discrimination
International Decade for People of African Descent GENEVA (10 December 2014) – A group of independent experts of the largest fact-finding and monitoring mechanism of the United Nations human rights system today called upon UN Member States and all stakeholders to increase their efforts to address the challenge of racism…
Bhopal gas tragedy: “Financial compensation will never be sufficient without clean-up”
GENEVA (24 November 2014) – The United Nations Special Rapporteur on human rights and toxic waste, Baskut Tuncak, welcomed the announcement of the Indian Government to reconsider the official figures of people affected by the catastrophic leak of toxic gas in Bhopal in 1984, and provide additional compensation. “However, financial…