ASTANA (8 April 2015) – United Nations Special Rapporteur on human rights and hazardous substances and wastes, Baskut Tuncak, today called on the Government of Kazakhstan to step up efforts in protecting those who live in environmentally high-risk areas. Mr. Tuncak, speaking at the end of an official visit to…
UN human rights expert announces his first official visit to Kazakhstan
GENEVA / ASTANA (23 March 2015) – United Nations Special Rapporteur Baskut Tuncak will visit Kazakhstan from 26 March to 8 April 2015 to assess the country’s human rights record regarding the management of hazardous substances and wastes. “The realisation of several human rights, including the right to life, the…
End of Visit Statement – Kazakhstan 2015
26 March-8 April 2015 Introduction In my capacity as the United Nations Special Rapporteur on human rights and hazardous substances and wastes, I undertook an official country visit to the Republic of Kazakhstan, at the invitation of the Government, from 26 March to 8 April 2015. The purpose of the…
Peru / Indigenous peoples: “New oil project threatens further harm for human rights victims”
GENEVA / LIMA (15 December 2014) – The proposed re-licensing of heavily polluted land in the Department of Loreto region of Peru would perpetuate and exacerbate serious violations of human rights of indigenous peoples, including their right to health, food and water, two United Nations experts on indigenous peoples and…
UN independent experts urge practical measures to eradicate racial discrimination
International Decade for People of African Descent GENEVA (10 December 2014) – A group of independent experts of the largest fact-finding and monitoring mechanism of the United Nations human rights system today called upon UN Member States and all stakeholders to increase their efforts to address the challenge of racism…
Bhopal gas tragedy: “Financial compensation will never be sufficient without clean-up”
GENEVA (24 November 2014) – The United Nations Special Rapporteur on human rights and toxic waste, Baskut Tuncak, welcomed the announcement of the Indian Government to reconsider the official figures of people affected by the catastrophic leak of toxic gas in Bhopal in 1984, and provide additional compensation. “However, financial…
Mercury: The world cannot wait any longer to control a major pollutant threatening human rights
GENEVA (31 October 2014) – The new United Nations Special Rapporteur on human rights and toxics, Baskut Tuncak, urged Governments around the world to expedite the ratification process of the Minamata Convention on Mercury, a global treaty to protect human health and the environment from its adverse effects. Mr. Tuncak’s…
Statement to the Human Rights Council 27th Session
9 September 2014 Excellencies, distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen: Today I am presenting my first report to the Human Rights Council. As I address you for the first time in my capacity as Special Rapporteur, I would at the outset like to express my gratitude to the Council for the…