A Council of Europe Regional Conference on Human Rights and the Environment in Southeast Europe took place on 17 and 18 October 2024, in Budva, Montenegro. It was organised in the framework of the Regional Project on Human Rights and Sustainable Environment in Southeast Europe, funded by the Human Rights Trust Fund.
The event brought together judges, prosecutors, civil servants, legal professionals, academics and civil society representatives from across the region (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia), creating a dynamic platform for dialogue on the interconnection between human rights and the environment.
In her opening remarks, the president of the Constitutional Court of Montenegro, Ms Snežana Armenko, emphasised that “today, more than ever before, the topic of human rights and environmental protection demands our full attention. It is our responsibility to establish a balance between sustainable development and the protection of the environment itself, while simultaneously preserving human rights and natural resources for present and future generations”.
MsLilja Gretarsdottir, Head of Co-operation Programmes Division, Department for the Implementation of Human Rights, Justice and Legal Co-operation Standards, the Council of Europe, highlighted the Reykjavik Declaration and the ongoing work of the Council of Europe in the interconnected areas of human rights and the environment, stressing that national authorities play a crucial role in upholding international and European standards in the area.
During the two-day conference, various European and international mechanisms addressing human rights and the environment were explored. The jurisprudence of the European Court of Human Rights in this field was analysed and specific cases that require countries to adopt systemic measures were discussed. Additionally, the event offered valuable insights into the Aarhus Convention and relevant UN entities relating to environmental rights. Participants exchanged best practices, explored gaps in domestic and regional frameworks, and identified ways forward to improve policy and legal practices in this field.
For further information, the conference program can be found here.
All references to Kosovo, whether the territory, institutions or population, in this text shall be understood in full compliance with United Nations’ Security Council Resolution 1244 and without prejudice to the status of Kosovo.
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Publish date : 2024-11-01 17:25:00
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