Denmark must
extend toxic substance protection standards beyond its borders – UN expert
GENEVA / COPENHAGEN (13
October 2017) – Denmark provides solid examples on the protection of people
from toxic substances, but companies must ensure these standards are observed
when operating overseas, the UN Special Rapporteur on hazardous substances and
wastes has concluded after an official mission.
“Danish authorities, working
in close partnership with the private sector and civil society, have
illustrated time and time again the ability to minimize the exposure of
children and women of reproductive age to harmful chemicals, while promoting
economic growth,” said Baskut Tuncak in a statement ending his 10-day visit to
Denmark and Greenland.
“Yet Denmark must extend its
best-in-class protections from toxic threats at home to operations of all its
companies’ activities abroad.
“The export of practices and
products prohibited in Europe by some Danish companies operating in countries
with far weaker standards of protection, simply for economic gain, is
disappointing and raises a number of human rights concerns.
“Some firms are selling
hazardous pesticides to developing countries even though their use in the EU is
banned, while others are sending ships to be dismantled on foreign beaches,
creating serious health hazards for impoverished workers,” continued Mr.
Tuncak.
“The recent scandal around
the shipbreaking of the North Sea Producer in Chittagong Bay is another
deplorable example of the chronic lack of openness of the shipping sector to
fully accept its responsibilities,” said the expert, referring to the
dismantling in Bangladesh of a vessel owned and operated by a joint venture by
Maersk of Denmark and Odebrecht of Brazil.
“Maersk’s recent reversal of
its position against the dismantling of ships on beaches in South East Asia is
a regrettable step in the wrong direction.”
The UN expert took note of
industry commitments to raise standards in shipbreaking practices globally and
the specific efforts by Maersk to improve the standards of a few shipyards in
Alang Bay. Yet, he noted that the absence to date of independent environmental
monitoring data, and the avoidance of safer alternative facilities in Europe
and elsewhere, were deeply problematic.
“It seems totally
unacceptable that these yards cannot be scrutinized by independent
organizations,” concluded Mr. Tuncak.
The Special Rapporteur said
his visit to Greenland had underlined several issues including the obligation
to clear military debris.
“The disposal of
contaminated military debris, unexploded ordnance and military equipment in a
manner consistent with international standards is an obligation for all
States,” said Mr. Tuncak, welcoming Danish plans to help clean up the debris
and continue researching the potential impact of radioactive materials.
“The total exclusion of the
local population in past decisions over the US military presence in Greenland
has fuelled serious tensions and resulted in recognized past violations, such
as the removal of the population originally living in the area where Thule Airbase
was built,” the expert added.
“Still today, the lack of
transparency by US forces on the nature of all hazardous materials deployed in
Greenland is a source of concern.”
The Special Rapporteur also
stressed the need for fully informing and consulting communities on the
potential impacts of mining, although he acknowledged that informing residents
and monitoring activities in remote areas were “hugely challenging” tasks.
The expert also underlined
the vulnerability of the Arctic population to pollution and the potential
impacts of climate change on Greenland’s delicate environment.
“The expansion of extractive
industries, fishing activities and transportation in the Arctic must be
carefully monitored to avoid compromising the lives of indigenous communities
in the area,” said Mr. Tuncak.
During his mission, the UN
Special Rapporteur met multiple Government authorities in Copenhagen and Nuuk,
members of the business community and NGOs. He will present a comprehensive
report with his findings and recommendations to the UN Human Rights Council in
September 2018.
Source: scoop
world. 14 October 2017
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