This Side Event to the 51st Session of the Human Rights Council discussed the report of the UN Special Rapporteur on Toxics and Human Rights on the use of mercury in small-scale gold mining and its impact on human rights. The event was organized by the Special Rapporteur on Toxics and Human Rights, and co-sponsored by the United Nations Environment Programme, the International Positive Education Network (IPEN), and the Geneva Environment Network. Click here to view.

Dr. Marcos Orellana’s presentation to the UN General Assembly on his report on the effects of plastics on human rights. Click here to view.

The United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) is a high- level advisory body to the Economic and Social Council. The Forum was established on 28 July 2000 by resolution 2000/22, with the mandate to deal with indigenous issues related to economic and social development, culture, the environment, education, health and human rights. Dr. Marcos Orellana made a statement on the issue of toxics and indigenous peoples. Click here to view.

 

UN Special Rapporteur Dr. Orellana participated in DEVE's workshop addressing environmental crimes in developing countries. He address several pressing issues such as the crime of ecocide and the regulation of mercury in artisanal and small gold mining. He also highlighted the exports of banned pesticides from Europe to devloping countries, such as in the tragedy of toxic waste from Sweden sent to Arica, Chile, and Tunisia illegally taking in hundreds of tons of Italy's waste. Click here to view.

This briefing, organized in the run-up to the Fifth Session of the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA-5), presented and discussed two of the reports on chemicals and waste issues that were requested to be developed at UNEA-4. Click here to view.