New UN Independent Expert on Human Rights and Environment

WECF welcomes the appointment of John Knox as the new UN Independent Expert on Human Rights and Environment

24.07.2012 |WECF

During the closing of its 20th session in Geneva (6th July), the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) appointed professor John Knox to be the first Independent Expert on the issue of human rights obligations related to the enjoyment of a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment.

Knox was chosen among a list of 19 candidates and the criteria were based on the qualifications, relevant experience, expertise, independence, impartiality, personal integrity, objectivity, availability and motivation. The consultative group of the UNHRC favored the American professor for its long experience and broad expertise in the field. According to the Centre of International Environmental Law (CIEL) where Knox was a counselor for many years, the new expert will have a key role in building a consensus for the global recognition of the right to a healthy environment and for the development of strong substantive content of that right.

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