The Framework Principles on Human Rights and the Environment

The Framework Principles on Human Rights and the Environment

In 2018, the Special Rapporteur developed the Framework Principles on Human Rights and the Environment which set out the basic obligations of States under human rights law as they relate to the enjoyment of a healthy environment. 

 "The goal is simply to describe the main human rights obligations that apply in the environmental context, in order to facilitate their practical implementation and further development”
John Knox, former Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment

 

It is important to note that the Framework Principles do not create new obligations, but reflect the application of existing human rights obligations in the environmental context. The 2021 HRC Resolution reaffirmed that States have human rights obligations, including in all actions to address environmental challenges as recognised in different international instruments and reflected in the Framework Principles.

There are 16 Framework Principles altogether.

  1. Framework Principle 1

States should ensure a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment in order to respect, protect and fulfil human rights.

  1. Framework Principle 2

States should respect, protect and fulfil human rights in order to ensure a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment.

  1. Framework Principle 3

States should prohibit discrimination and ensure equal and effective protection against discrimination in relation to the enjoyment of a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment.

  1. Framework Principle 4

States should provide a safe and enabling environment in which individuals, groups and organs of society that work on human rights or environmental issues can operate free from threats, harassment, intimidation and violence.

  1. Framework Principle 5

States should respect and protect the rights to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly in relation to environmental matters.

  1. Framework Principle 6

States should provide for education and public awareness on environmental matters.

  1. Framework Principle 7

States should provide public access to environmental information by collecting and disseminating information and by providing affordable, effective and timely access to information to any person upon request.

  1. Framework Principle 8

To avoid undertaking or authorizing actions with environmental impacts that interfere with the full enjoyment of human rights, States should require the prior assessment of the possible environmental impacts of proposed projects and policies, including their potential effects on the enjoyment of human rights.

  1. Framework Principle 9

States should provide for and facilitate public participation in decision-making related to the environment, and take the views of the public into account in the decision-making process.

  1. Framework Principle 10

States should provide for access to effective remedies for violations of human rights and domestic laws relating to the environment.

  1. Framework Principle 11

States should establish and maintain substantive environmental standards that are non-discriminatory, non-retrogressive and otherwise respect, protect and fulfil human rights.

  1. Framework Principle 12

States should ensure the effective enforcement of their environmental standards against public and private actors.

  1. Framework Principle 13

“States should cooperate with each other to establish, maintain and enforce effective international legal frameworks in order to prevent, reduce and remedy transboundary and global environmental harm that interferes with the full enjoyment of human rights.”

  1. Framework Principle 14

States should take additional measures to protect the rights of those who are most vulnerable to, or at particular risk from, environmental harm, taking into account their needs, risks and capacities.

  1. Framework Principle 15

States should ensure that they comply with their obligations to Indigenous peoples and members of traditional communities.

  1. Framework Principle 16

States should respect, protect and fulfil human rights in the actions they take to address environmental challenges and pursue sustainable development.

OHCHR | Framework Principles on Human Rights and the Environment

How did we do?

The human right to a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment - HRC resolution

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