Statement in Support of the Independent Expert on Human Rights and Environment

A statement delivered by Dr. Marcos A. Orellana of the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) and other organizations to the United Nations Human Rights Council supporting the second report of the Independent Expert on Human Rights and the Environment, Professor John Knox.

• The statement supports the recognition of the right to a healthy environment as a freestanding right, arguing that such recognition would improve accountability, the understanding of human rights consequences resulting from environmental damage, the preservation of ecosystems, and the achievement of sustainable development.
• The statement emphasizes the importance of extraterritorial obligations (ETOs) and the Maastricht Principles in addressing human rights impacts that occur beyond national borders.
• The statement highlights the critical need for States to increase protections for environmental rights defenders to safeguard their personal integrity and lives.

APA

Orellana, M. A. (2014). Statement in Support of the Independent Expert on Human Rights and Environment. Center for International Environmental Law. https://www.ciel.org/news/statement-in-support-of-the-independent-expert-on-human-rights-and-environment/

Chicago

Orellana, Marcos A. Statement in Support of the Independent Expert on Human Rights and Environment. Center for International Environmental Law, 2014. https://www.ciel.org/news/statement-in-support-of-the-independent-expert-on-human-rights-and-environment/.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |last1=Orellana |first1=Marcos A. |title=Statement in Support of the Independent Expert on Human Rights and Environment |publisher=Center for International Environmental Law |date=1 March 2014 |url=https://www.ciel.org/news/statement-in-support-of-the-independent-expert-on-human-rights-and-environment/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{orellana2014statement, author = {Orellana, Marcos A.}, title = {{Statement in Support of the Independent Expert on Human Rights and Environment}}, publisher = {Center for International Environmental Law}, year = {2014}, month = mar, url = {https://www.ciel.org/news/statement-in-support-of-the-independent-expert-on-human-rights-and-environment/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }