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OHCHR 
Special Rapporteur on toxics and human rights
Special Rapporteur on the implications for human rights of the environmentally sound management and disposal of hazardous substances and wastes
Purpose of the mandate
The exposure of people to a myriad of harmful substances without their prior informed consent is a human rights issue. However, it is a human rights issue for which solutions exist. The mandate seeks to help States, businesses and other stakeholders adopt such solutions.
Learn how exposure to hazardous substances directly implicates human rights
About the mandate
The mandate on hazardous substances and wastes was first established in 1995 by the United Nations Commission on Human Rights (Commission Resolution 1995/81). Today it is under U.N. Human Rights Council Resolution A/HRC/RES/45/17 of 2020.
Learn more about the mandate and the resolutions that established it
Current mandate holder
Dr. 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.
Calls for Input
Key Documents
Guidelines for good practices for disposal of toxics
The Special Rapporteur reflects on the ongoing challenges relating to the disposal of toxic wastes. Following a broad consultative process to identify, disseminate and provide guidance on good practices, he gives recommendations to assist States in ensuring that their laws and other practices are in line with their human rights obligations.
Principles on the protection of workers from exposure to toxic substances
Based on decades of work under the mandate, including country visits, thematic research and communications with States and non-State actors, these 15 principles help States and other actors protect workers from toxic exposures, and provide remedies for violations of their rights.
Assessment of company responses to human rights issues within the chemical industry
This assessment, prepared by the Business & Human Rights Resource Centre in collaboration with the Special Rapporteur on toxics and human rights, analyses trends in alleged cases of human rights abuse relating to the chemical industry. Responses of States and companies are also covered.
Latest thematic reports
Latest country reports
Contact Information
Dr. Marcos A. Orellana, Special Rapporteur on Toxics and Human Rights
OHCHR-UNOG
Avenue Giuseppe Motta 48,
CH-1202 Geneva
Switzerland
Fax : +41 22 917 90 06
E-mail: hrc-sr-toxicshr@un.org
Follow the Special Rapporteur on Twitter: @SRtoxics
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Former mandate holders
Mr. Baskut Tuncak (Turkey/USA)
2014-2020
Mr. Marc Pallemaerts (Belgium)
2012-2014
Mr. Calin Georgescu (Romania)
2010-2012
Mr. Okechukwu Ibeanu (Nigeria)
2004-2010
Ms. Fatma Zohra Ouhachi-Vesely (Algeria)
1995-2004
Activities
Amicus brief submitted by the UN Special Rapporteurs on Toxics and Human Rights (Marcos Orellana), Human Rights and the Environment (David Boyd), and the Right to Development (Surya Deva) on the Advisory Opinion on Climate Emergency and Human Rights of the Interamerican Court of Human Rights
22 November 2023
Amicus brief (English | Español)
Minamata Convention on Mercury, 5th Session of the Conference of the Parties
1 November 2023
High Level Segment of the fifth session of the International Conference on Chemicals Management
28 September 2023
Watch the video recording (00:44:35-00:52:03)
Statement to the Contact Group on Rotterdam Convention Effectiveness - BRS COPs
7 May 2023