RT null
T1 Human Rights and Hazardous Substances - Key Messages
T2 حقوق الإنسان والمواد الخطرة: الرسائل الرئيسية
T2 人权与有害物质：关键信息
T2 Droits humains et substances dangereuses : messages clés
T2 Права человека и опасные вещества: ключевые послания
A1 United Nations Environment Programme, 
A1 United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, 
K1 human rights
K1 environmentally hazardous substance
K1 international cooperation
K1 access to information
K1 hazardous waste
K1 popular participation
K1 legal remedy
K1 accountability
K1 scientific research
K1 precautionary principle
YR 2021
FD 2021
LK https://wedocs.unep.org/handle/20.500.11822/35409
UL https://wedocs.unep.org/handle/20.500.11822/35409
NO This document presents key messages jointly issued by OHCHR and UNEP on human rights obligations relating to hazardous substances, outlining state duties to prevent and minimize exposure, safeguard life, health, bodily integrity, and a healthy environment, and ensure a non-toxic environment for present and future generations. It calls for international cooperation through multilateral agreements (Basel, Rotterdam, Stockholm, Minamata), and affirms business responsibilities under the UN Guiding Principles, including due diligence, disclosure, and polluter-pays remediation. It stresses non-discrimination, protection of environmental human rights defenders, and the rights to information, participation, justice, and effective remedies. The document promotes precaution across substances’ lifecycles, independent regulation, science-based decision-making, and access to the benefits of scientific progress, with special attention to people in vulnerable situations.
DS UN Environment Document Repository
RD Sep 23, 2026