On June 2nd, ahead of World Environment Day, the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment, John Knox; the UN Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights Defenders, Michel Forst, and the UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous people, Victoria Tauli Corpuz issued a press release urging governments to protect the environment and the human rights that depend on it.
They are stressing that the landmark Resolution (res 31/ 32) adopted in March 2016 by the Human Rights Council has been a good initiative but should be followed by practical actions by Governments.
The situation is getting worse, particularly in Latin America and Southeast Asia, but it is a problem affecting every region of the world.
Read the full statement here