15 October 2013
UN Experts Stress Health Aspects of Mercury Pollution
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The UN Special Rapporteur on human rights and toxic waste, Marc Pallemaerts, and the UN Independent Expert on human rights and the environment, John Knox, have welcomed the signing of the Minamata Convention on Mercury.

The independent experts praise the inclusion, for the first time in an environmental treaty, of an article focused on the health aspects of exposure to mercury, but regret that it “encourages” rather than “requires” states to take action.

OHCHR 211 October 2013: The UN Special Rapporteur on human rights and toxic waste, Marc Pallemaerts, and the UN Independent Expert on human rights and the environment, John Knox, have welcomed the signing of the Minamata Convention on Mercury. The independent experts praise the inclusion, for the first time in an environmental treaty, of an article focused on the health aspects of exposure to mercury, but regret that it “encourages” rather than “requires” states to take action.

According to the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the experts believe governments should be required to adopt such fundamental measures as promoting the development and implementation of programmes to protect populations at risk, and promoting science-based educational programmes on occupational exposure.

The two UN experts also express regret that transboundary obligations are excluded from the Minamata Convention, despite the known long-range effects of mercury. They note that governments can draw inspiration from the Maastricht Principles on Extraterritorial Obligations of States and their guidelines in addressing the intricate challenges arising from cross-border pollution.

Finally, the experts call on governments to take into account all relevant obligations under human rights law, including duties to allow full participation in environmental decision-making and to provide appropriate remedies for harm, as they implement the Convention. [OHCHR Press Release] [Website of Special Rapporteur] [Website of Independent Expert]


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