2 May 2017: UN Special Rapporteur John Knox highlighted the need to set up an environment ombudsperson in Uruguay, following a visit to the country. The ombudsperson would be empowered to ensure that members of the public can report environmental problems and that each complaint is addressed promptly by the appropriate office.

Knox is mandated by the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) to promote the implementation of human rights obligations relating to the enjoyment of a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment. Uruguary seeks to expand its agricultural production, including through the use of fertilizers, agro-chemicals and irrigation, according to the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), which said those practices can harm water quality and other environmental aspects. Uruguay’s efforts to expand agriculturally relate to SDG 2 (zero hunger), but actions may undermine human health, which is reflected in SDG 3 (good health and well-being), as well as aspects of SDG 12 (responsible production and consumption). His visit also highlighted the importance of participatory decision-making, which is a focus of SDG 16 (peace, justice and strong institutions).

Knox addresses the risk that economic growth is achieved “at the expense of human rights,” saying that providing effective access to information is “the best way to ensure that development is truly sustainable.”

Knox addresses the risk that economic growth is achieved “at the expense of human rights,” saying that providing effective access to information is “the best way to ensure that development is truly sustainable” as it enables informed public participation in decision-making processes. According to Knox, the Government of Uruguay should: make environmental information “easily understandable by the general public, especially those … most vulnerable to environmental degradation,” such as people living in poverty; improve coordination of different government sources of information, such as on water quality, to make it more easily accessible; and ensure that public participation occurs “early enough that the views of the public can be taken into account in the final decisions.”

Knox’s statement also highlights the importance of access to justice in the environmental context. He writes that the people “most directly affected by environmental harm are in the best position to identify violations, bring them to the attention of the government, and seek redress,” but that ministries’ adopted methods for reporting allegations of environmental problems are confusing and not always responsive. He suggests that the government consider adopting “a new, transversal mechanism – such as an environmental ombudsperson – with the authority to receive all environmentally related complaints and ensure that each is addressed promptly by the appropriate office.”

For advice on setting up the mechanism, he encourages the government to consult with the National Human Rights Institution, which he said has considered several allegations of environmentally related human rights abuses. [Statement of Special Rapporteur] [OHCHR Press Release] [UN News Story]