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News, Reports, Topics

Protecting the Environment and Human Health: Restricting PFHxS under the Stockholm Convention

Posted on by admin
perfluorohexane-sulfonic-acid-PFHxS
05
Jul

Feedback by Brussels for Human Rights and Development to the European commission regarding an initiative to include perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS), its salts, and related compounds under the restrictions of the Stockholm Convention on persistent organic pollutants.

Brussels for Human Rights and Development Applauds European Commission’s Initiative In a significant move towards safeguarding the environment and protecting human health, the European Commission has taken an important step by including perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS), its salts, and related compounds under the restrictions of the Stockholm Convention on persistent organic pollutants. Brussels for Human Rights and Development welcomes this initiative and recognizes the critical role it plays in addressing the harmful effects of these toxic substances.

Understanding PFHxS and Its Impacts:

PFHxS is a persistent organic pollutant with widespread use in various industrial and consumer products, such as non-stick cookware, water-repellent clothing, and fire-fighting foams. Unfortunately, its presence poses a significant threat to wildlife and human health due to its bioaccumulation in the environment, leading to endocrine disruption and reproductive toxicity.

The Importance of Stockholm Convention Inclusion:

By including PFHxS under the restrictions of the Stockholm Convention, the regulation (EU) 2019/1021 will introduce vital limitations on the production, use, and release of this hazardous substance. This step is crucial in reducing PFHxS’s overall presence in the environment and preventing further harm to wildlife and human health.

Ensuring Effective Implementation and Enforcement:

While applauding this regulation, we raise concerns regarding its implementation at the national level. The success of this initiative heavily relies on the effectiveness of its enforcement and monitoring by member states. To ensure the desired outcomes, it is essential that adequate resources and capacities are provided for monitoring and enforcing the restrictions imposed on PFHxS and its related compounds.

Promoting Safer Alternatives:

In addition to effective implementation, it is crucial to consider alternative, safer, and more sustainable options to PFHxS in the production of industrial and consumer goods. The phase-out of PFHxS should be accompanied by the promotion and development of alternative technologies and materials that are safe for both the environment and human health.

Supporting the Regulation’s Implementation:

Brussels for Human Rights and Development fully supports the regulation’s inclusion of PFHxS under the restrictions of the Stockholm Convention. We strongly hope that this initiative will be effectively implemented and enforced, leading to a reduction in PFHxS’s presence in the environment. Furthermore, we emphasize the need to prioritize the development of alternative, safer, and more sustainable options to replace PFHxS in the future.

in conclusion, The inclusion of PFHxS under the Stockholm Convention restrictions marks a crucial milestone in the protection of the environment and human health. While Brussels for Human Rights and Development welcomes this initiative, we stress the importance of effective implementation and enforcement at the national level. Additionally, we urge the exploration and adoption of safer alternatives to PFHxS, ensuring a sustainable and healthier future for both the planet and its inhabitants.

Feedback on the european commission website:
https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/13425-Persistent-organic-pollutants-perfluorohexane-sulfonic-acid-PFHxS-/F3383023_en

Topics

Feedback by Brussels for Human Rights and Developments on “Single-use plastic beverage bottles EU rules for calculating, verifying and reporting on recycled plastic content”.

Posted on by salman
26
May

Brussels for Human Rights and Developments (BHRD) welcomes the European Commission’s draft act on Single-use plastic beverage bottles EU rules for calculating, verifying and reporting on recycled plastic content. We believe that the act is a significant step forward in the EU’s efforts to reduce plastic waste and promote the circular economy.

We support the following key provisions of the draft act:

-The requirement that all producers of single-use plastic beverage bottles in the EU must calculate the recycled plastic content of their products.
-The requirement that producers verify the accuracy of their recycled plastic content calculations. The requirement that producers report their recycled plastic content calculations to the European Commission.

We believe that these provisions will help to increase the transparency of the recycled plastic market and make it easier for producers to find and use recycled materials. We also believe that these provisions will help to reduce plastic waste incineration and landfill.

We have a few suggestions for improving the draft act:

-We suggest that the act be extended to include other single-use plastic products, such as straws, stirrers, and cutlery.
-We suggest that the act include a requirement for producers to use recycled plastic in their products. We suggest that the act include a financial incentive for producers to use recycled plastic in their products.
-We believe that these suggestions would further strengthen the act and help to achieve its objectives. We thank the European Commission for its work on this important issue.
-We look forward to working with the Commission to ensure that the act is adopted and implemented effectively.

In addition to the above, we would like to highlight the following specific concerns:

-The draft act does not include any provisions to address the human rights impacts of plastic production and disposal. We believe that it is important to ensure that the transition to a circular economy does not lead to new human rights abuses, such as forced labor or environmental degradation.
-The draft act does not include any provisions to address the issue of plastic pollution in developing countries. We believe that it is important to ensure that the EU’s efforts to reduce plastic waste do not lead to a disproportionate burden being placed on developing countries.

We urge the European Commission to address these concerns in the final version of the act.

The Feedback on the European Commission Website

News, Topics

HUMAN RIGHTS DAY

Posted on by salman
HUMAN RIGHTS DAY
10
Dec

Whenever and wherever humanity’s values are abandoned, we all are at greater risk. The solutions to today’s greatest crises are rooted in human rights.
Rights violations reverberate across borders and across generations. These can be, must be, collectively overcome.

#HUMAN RIGHYS DAY

News, Topics

HUMAN RIGHTS DAY

Posted on by salman
HUMAN RIGHTS DAY
10
Dec

We need to stand up for our rights and those of others.
The UDHR calls upon everybody to stand up for human rights. We all have a role to play.

We need an economy that invests in human rights and works for everyone.
We need to renew the social contract between Governments and their people and within societies, so as to rebuild trust and embrace a shared and comprehensive vision of human rights on the road to a just and sustainable development.

#HumanRightsDay

News, Topics

The UDHR enshrines the rights of all human beings

Posted on by salman
common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations
10
Dec

As a “common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations”, the UDHR is a global blueprint for international, national, and local laws and policies and a bedrock of the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development.
The 2030 Agenda for sustainable development explicitly recognizes it is grounded in UDHR and has to be implemented in a manner that realizes human rights.

Topics

A devastating drought in Somalia has reached unprecedented levels, leaving one million people within the country currently registered as displaced, the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, said on Thursday.

Posted on by salman
06
Oct

More than 755,000 people have been internally displaced in Somalia because of the severe dry spell this year, bringing the total figure to one million since January when the drought began, according to new figures released by UNHCR and the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC).

“This one million milestone serves as a massive alarm bell for Somalia,” said Mohamed Abdi, NRC’s Country Director in Somalia.

Somalia is going through a two-year historic dry spell, the likes of which have not been seen in more than 40 years.

https://news.un.org/en/story/2022/08/1124472

Topics

The values that we ascribe to nature are vital parts of our cultures, identities, economies, and ways of life, all of which should be reflected in policy decisions surrounding our natural world, according to a new UN-backed report released on Monday.

Posted on by admin
02
Sep

However, the new Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services’ (IPBES) assessment report finds when making policy decisions, there is a too much global focus on short-term profits and economic growth that often undervalue nature.

An independent intergovernmental science and policy body, the IPBES secretariat is provided by the UN Environment Programme, authorized by UNEP’s Governing Council.

Continue reading:

https://news.un.org/en/story/2022/07/1122322

Topics

In late July, the UN General Assembly is expected to vote on a draft resolution recognizing the human right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment.

Posted on by salman
06
Aug

Costa Rica, the Maldives, Morocco, Slovenia and Switzerland presented the draft text to the 193-member Assembly, the UN’s most representative body, last June, following the landmark resolution adoption of a similar text adopted in October 2021 by the UN Human Rights Council.

The resolution recognizes the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment as a human right essential for the full enjoyment of all human rights and, among others, calls upon States and international organizations to adopt policies and scale up efforts to ensure a clean, healthy and sustainable environment for all.

Continue reading:

https://news.un.org/en/story/2022/07/1123142

Reports, Topics

Rapport Sur l’activité de « BRUSSELS for HUMAN RIGHTS AND DEVELOPMENT BHRD AISBL»

Posted on by admin
02
Mar

• Travailler à la réalisation des objectifs de développement durable, à l’éradication de la pauvreté, à la protection de la planète et à la paix et à la prospérité pour tous. •Promouvoir et diffuser une culture des droits humains politiques, civils, économiques, sociaux et culturels. •Promouvoir le principe d’égalité et de non-discrimination sur la base de la race, de la religion, de la couleur ou des croyances intellectuelles. •Sensibiliser et protéger les jeunes contre l’extrémisme et le terrorisme. •la formation et la réadaptation, afin d’accroître l’efficacité (professionnelle et technique) des travailleurs dans le domaine des droits de la personne. • Collaborer avec divers mécanismes internationaux et régionaux, comme la Commission africaine des droits de l’homme et des peuples – Nations Unies et le Conseil des droits de l’homme – Commission européenne des droits de l’homme 

bhr-2-1.pdf-1