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Accessible Reports from the UN Special Rapporteur on toxics and human rights

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The Global Toxics and Human Rights Project

Accessible Thematic Reports

Every year, the UN Special Rapporteur on toxics and human rights, Marcos Orellana, presents two reports on a thematic report of his choosing: one to the UN General Assembly and another to the UN General Assembly. Each report contains in-depth research on a specific topic related to toxics and includes a series of concrete conclusions and recommendations for States, businesses, or the international community. To make these reports accessible to the widest audience, the Global Toxics & Human Rights Project has published online summaries of these reports.

The Impact of Toxic Substances on the Human Rights of Indigenous Peoples

The Special Rapporteur on toxics and human rights, Marcos Orellana, recently published a report that examines the negative implications of toxic and hazardous substances on Indigenous Peoples’ enjoyment of human rights. Mining, oil and gas exploration and extraction, spraying of toxic pesticides, dumping of hazardous wastes, and military activities have appalling effects on the rights of Indigenous Peoples. Every aspect of indigenous peoples’ lives is affected by the contamination of their bodies, lands, waters, food, wildlife, and plants. The Special Rapporteur makes recommendations in the report aimed at addressing the adverse consequences of toxic substances on Indigenous Peoples. To make the report more accessible, the Global Toxics and Human Rights Project has published this summary. Read more

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Mercury, Small-Scale Gold Mining and Human Rights

Mercury is a persistent heavy metal, hazardous to human health and the environment. Its release from mining activities is contaminating lands, rivers, and oceans on a global scale. Small-scale gold mining is the world’s largest emitter of mercury into the environment. Yet, international arrangements for the control of mercury in small-scale gold mining have serious gaps and shortcomings. The Special Rapporteur on toxics and human rights, Marcos Orellana, released a report examining the human rights violations and environmental injustices of small-scale gold mining. To make the report more accessible, the Global Toxics and Human Rights Project has published this summary.

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The right to science in the context of toxic substances

In fall 2021, the Special Rapporteur on toxics and human rights, Marcos Orellana, presented his annual thematic report dedicated to the human right to science in relation to the risks and harms associated with the life cycle of hazardous substances and wastes. The report examines the dynamics and interconnections between scientific progress, the flow of scientific information and the science-policy interface. To make the report more accessible, the Global Toxics and Human Rights Project has published this summary. Read more

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The Stages of Plastics Cycle and Their Impacts on Human Rights

The Special Rapporteur on toxics and human rights, Marcos Orellana, presented this report on 2021 which examines the current and future negative implications of the various stages of the plastics cycle for the enjoyment of human rights. The ever-increasing plastics production, incineration and waste dumping only aggravate the detrimental consequences. Toxic chemicals are commonly added to plastics, causing serious risks and harms to human rights and the environment. The Special Rapporteur shared recommendations aimed at addressing the negative consequences of plastics on human rights and integrating a human rights-based approach in the transition to a chemically safe circular economy. To make the report more accessible, the Global Toxics and Human Rights Project has published this summary.

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