AFTERNOON 8 June 2010

The Human Rights Council this afternoon held a panel discussion on the adverse effects of the movement and dumping of toxic and dangerous products and wastes on the enjoyment of human rights.

Introducing the panel discussion, Alex Van Meeuwen, President of the Human Rights Council, said the overall aim of this panel was to get an overview of the issues related to the movement and dumping of toxic waste, with the view of assessing the impact on the enjoyment of human rights.

Craig Mokhiber, Chief of the Human Rights

The Human Rights Council this afternoon heard presentations from the Independent Expert on access to safe water and sanitation, and the Special Rapporteur on toxic wastes, after which it held an interactive discussion with the two Special Procedures, as well as with the Independent Expert on international solidarity, who presented his report on Wednesday, 16 September.

Council Appoints Four Special Procedure Mandate Holders, Extends Mandates of Five Special Procedures

The Human Rights Council this morning adopted 16 resolutions, two decisions and one presidential statement on a number of issues, including on missing persons, human rights and international solidarity, human rights and unilateral coercive measures, human rights of migrants, the world food crisis, human rights and indigenous peoples, effective implementation of international human rights instruments, protection

Today marks the 2nd anniversary of the extensive dumping of toxic waste in the district of Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire, mostly around human dwellings. My thoughts today are with the people of Abidjan who were directly affected by this tragedy. I am thinking especially of the families who lost their loved ones and those caring for their family members, still suffering from health problems.