UN SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR ON TOXIC WASTE AND HUMAN RIGHTS TO VISIT UNITED STATES

30 November 2001



The Special Rapporteur on the adverse effects of the illicit movement and dumping of toxic and dangerous products and wastes on the enjoyment of human rights, Fatma Zohra Ouhachi-Vesely, will visit the United States from 3 to 14 December 2001. This will be the Special Rapporteur's first visit to the United States, and follows previous missions to Africa, Latin America and Europe. The mission takes place at the invitation of the United States Government.

During the mission, the Special Rapporteur, an independent expert appointed by the United Nations Commission on Human Rights, will hold consultations with federal and state officials, members of Congress and the Senate, representatives of non-governmental organizations and members of the business community. She will visit Washington, D.C., from 3 to 7 December and on 14 December; Austin, Texas, on 10 December; El Paso, Texas, on 11 December, and San Francisco, California, from 12 to 13 December.

The Special Rapporteur is mandated to investigate and examine the effect on the enjoyment of human rights of the illicit movement and dumping of toxic and dangerous products and wastes. She may receive communications on the subject and make recommendations and proposals on measures to control, reduce and eradicate illicit traffic and dumping.

For further information, contact the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights tel.: 41-22-917-9179 or fax: 41-22-917-9010.




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