Right to Environment

It means any proclamation of a human right to environment conditions of a specified

quality. Human rights and the environment are inter-related. Human rights cannot be enjoyed without a safe, clean and healthy environment. The concept of human right emerged after the Second World
War but the right to healthy environment was never a priority. Today this right is an emerging concept that is being hotly debated in the human rights arena. A healthy human environment is an essential aspect of the right to life not only for human beings but also for animals on the planet. Therefore, violation of the right to healthy environment is potentially a violation of the basic right to life. The right was not found in UNDHR, ICCPCR and ICESCR. It is composed of Substantive Rights ( Fundamental Rights ) and Procedural Rights ( Tools used to achieve Substantial Rights )

i. Substantive Rights

These rights are those in which the environment has a direct effect on the existence of the right itself. It comprises of civil and political rights such as right to life, freedom of association, and also economic and cultural rights such as right to health, food, adequate living standard.

ii. Procedural Rights

It includes right to access information, participate in decision making and access justice. It is proposed at three different concepts:

a. Environment Rights as separate rights.

b. Environment Right is related with the previously passed human rights.

c. Environment right is the right of environment.