Call for Inputs – Visit by the United Nation’s Special Rapporteur on toxics and human rights to South Africa (31 July – 11 August)
Issued by
Special Rapporteur on toxics and human rights
Deadline
20 June 2023
Issued by
Special Rapporteur on toxics and human rights
Deadline
20 June 2023
Mandate of the Special Rapporteur on toxics and human rights
Pursuant to Human Rights Council resolution 45/17, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on toxics and human rights, Marcos Orellana, will undertake a visit to South Africa from 31 July to 11 August 2023 at the invitation of the Government. His visit will focus, in accordance with his mandate, on a wide range of issues related to toxics and human rights and the implications for human rights of the environmentally sound management and disposal of hazardous substances and wastes. A report on the visit including recommendations will be presented to the UN Human Rights Council in September 2024.
The Special Rapporteur is part of the Special Procedures mechanism of the United Nations Human Rights Council. The Human Rights Council is an inter-governmental body within the United Nations system made up of 47 Member States responsible for the promotion and protection of all human rights around the globe. Special Procedures are independent experts who report and advise on human rights issues from a thematic or country-specific perspective. They are appointed by the Human Rights Council on the basis of their expertise and experience in the area of their mandate, personal integrity, independence, impartiality, and objectivity. They are not employed by the United Nations and do not receive remuneration for their work.
The mandate seeks to help States, businesses and other stakeholders to adopt solutions with regard to the impact of harmful substances on human rights.
Mr. Marcos A. Orellana was appointed Special Rapporteur on toxics and human rights in August 2020. He is an expert in international law and the law on human rights and the environment. His practice as legal advisor has included work with United Nations agencies, governments and non-governmental organisations.
Country visits allow the Special Rapporteur to examine in situ questions relating to the mandate, and would help him identify gaps and shortcomings, as well as good practices, in relation to which the Special Rapporteur would seek to make constructive and concrete recommendations.
The general objectives of such country visits are:
Country visits involve extensive study of topics relevant to the mandate, including a wide range of issues related to toxics and human rights and the implications for human rights of the environmentally sound management and disposal of hazardous substances and wastes, as well as meetings and interviews with civil society organizations, experts and affected individuals before a visit. Country visits include meetings between the Special Rapporteur and government officials, members of the legislature and judiciary, state institutions, civil society organizations, academics, businesses, and individuals.
The Special Rapporteur would like to invite all interested individuals and organizations working on issues related to toxics and human rights and implications for human rights of the environmentally sound management and disposal of hazardous substances and wastes concerning South Africa, including representatives of civil society organizations, journalists, experts and academics, to provide input for the preparation of his visit.
While all submissions are welcome, it would be greatly appreciated if the submissions can focus on one or more of the following thematic issues:
Reports, academic studies and other types of background materials can be attached as an annex to the submission.
All inputs will be treated to inform the preparation of the visit and the report to the Human Rights Council.