The U.N.'s main human rights panel has passed a clean-environment resolution, which recognizes a safe, clean, sustainable environment as a human right. It also appoints a monitor and asks countries to boost their abilities to improve the environment.
GENEVA — The United Nations’ main human rights body has overwhelmingly voted to recognize the right to a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment as a human right, and to appoint an expert to monitor human rights in the context of climate change.
The Human Rights Council passed the clean-environment resolution, which also calls on countries to boost their abilities to improve the environment, by 43-0 while four member states -- China, India, Japan and Russia — abstained. Lucy McKernan, deputy director for U.N. advocacy at Human Rights Watch, called the clean-environment measure a “significant advance” to help address the global environmental crisis.
“Global recognition of this right will help empower local communities to defend their livelihoods, health, and culture against environmental destruction, and help governments develop stronger and more coherent environmental protection laws and policies,” she said.
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