Baskut Tuncak, former Special Rapporteur (2014-2020)

Mr. Baskut Tuncak (Turkey/USA) was appointed Special Rapporteur on the implications for human rights of the environmentally sound management and disposal of hazardous substances and wastes, also informally known as the “Special Rapporteur on toxics and human rights,” in 2014. He served until July 2020.

Mr. Tuncak is the founder of Common Rights, a multi-disciplinary advisory firm on sustainable development and human rights. He is an attorney and chemist, specializing in toxic pollution-related matters. Mr. Tuncak has nearly 20 years of professional experience in private and public sectors, divided between work as a research scientist with pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies and senior legal positions with non-profit organizations and research institutions. He has served as an advisor to various initiatives of United Nations agencies, national governments, public-interest organizations and philanthropic donors. Mr. Tuncak is an adjunct professor at Boğaziçi University.