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.

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 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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