LOC12:39
09:39 GMT
GENEVA, April 18 (KUNA) -- As negotiations on the Rio+20 Conference outcome
enter a critical phase, UN Human Rights chief Navi Pillay has urged all United
Nations Member States to ensure that human rights are thoroughly integrated in
the discussions and in any final outcome.
Twenty years after the adoption of the landmark Rio Declaration, the United
Nations Conference on Sustainable Development is due to convene in June this
year. Regrettably, said Pillay in a letter sent to all UN Member States, the
draft outcome document of the Rio+20 Conference fails to take sufficient
account of human rights imperatives.
"In recent years, people have taken to the streets in every region of the
world, passionately demanding their fundamental human rights - in many
instances at great personal risk," Pillay said. "For Rio+20 to be successful,
its outcome must ensure that explicit human rights safeguards are in place."
Pillay warned that incoherence between international human rights
standards, environmental strategies and economic policies can undercut all
three.
"Strategies based on the narrow pursuit of economic growth without due
regard for equity and related environmental, social and human rights
considerations, will both fail in their economic objectives, and risk damaging
the planet and the fundamental rights of people," she said.
The High Commissioner noted that there were numerous examples of projects
aimed at sustainable development seriously impinging on the rights of already
vulnerable communities, leading to landlessness, homelessness and economic
dispossession.
"Technocratic processes have excluded women from decision-making, economic
and social inequalities have been exacerbated, indigenous peoples have seen
threats to their lands and livelihood from some emission reduction schemes,
scarce food-growing lands have sometimes been diverted for the production of
biofuels, and massive infrastructure projects have resulted in the forced
eviction and relocations of entire communities," she said.
"Simply put, participatory, accountable, non-discriminatory and empowering
development is more effective, more just and ultimately more sustainable."
Pillay said that the 1992 Rio Declaration has been celebrated for its
integrated approach to economic development, social development and
environmental protection - and because it was "thoroughly infused with human
rights considerations essential to sustainable development."
She called on all Member States to commit to ensuring full coherence
between their international human rights obligations and efforts to advance
the green economy.
"All policies and measures aimed at advancing sustainable development must
be firmly grounded in the right to development, based on the principles of
participation, accountability at the national and international level,
non-discrimination, empowerment and the rule of law," Pillay said.
"Public and private sector actors must exercise due diligence, including by
conducting human rights impact assessments. They must take particular care to
prevent and remedy any negative impact on the human rights of vulnerable and
marginalized groups, including indigenous peoples, minorities, migrants,
people living in poverty, older people, individuals with disabilities, and
children. Empowerment of women, the protection of their rights, and their
meaningful participation in decision-making must be assured."
Pillay added that States must ensure that explicit attention is paid to
protecting the human rights to food, to water and sanitation, to health,
housing and education, and to participation in public affairs.
"A strong outcome at Rio, seamlessly integrating the environmental, social,
economic, and human rights elements of sustainable development, will do much
to help us advance our collective mission to create a world free from fear and
from want," the UN rights chief added. "I look forward to being a part of this
important process," she said. (end)
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