Event Conference
The Human Rights of Future Generations and Sustainable Development | HRC57 Side Event
16 Sep 2024
14:00 – 15:00
Venue: Palais des Nations | Room XXII
Organization: Special Procedures of the UN Human Rights Council, Center for International Environmental Law, FIAN International
This side event to the 57th session of the Human Rights Council, organized by the UN Special Rapporteur on the right to development, the Center for International Environmental Law, and FIAN International, gathered experts to discuss the legal norms related to the human rights of future generations, and opportunities to better protect their human rights, including with regard to the Maastricht Principles and the UN Declaration on Future Generations.
About this Event
Core human rights instruments contain no temporal limitation to the enjoyment of human rights. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the Declaration on the Right to Development, among other instruments, refer to “everyone”, and “every human person and all peoples”, which should be interpreted as including future generations and excluding any form of discrimination between generations. Principle 3 of the Rio Declaration makes it clear that “the right to development must be fulfilled so as to equitably meet developmental and environmental needs of present and future generations.” This goal is reiterated in paragraph 11 of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action.
There is a growing recognition that a “business as usual” approach is exposing the Earth, present generations (particularly children and youth), as well as future generations to mounting crises. These include the triple planetary crisis of climate change, environmental pollution, and biodiversity loss; crossing six of nine planetary boundaries through unsustainable patterns of production and consumption; global health threats; food insecurity; inadequately controlled and regulated new technologies; the scourge of war and the deployment of weapons of mass destruction; debt burdens; and the erosion of long-established norms of democratic governance and civic space in many countries. Yet, international governance remains often driven by shortterm priorities to the detriment of intragenerational and intergenerational equity.
The international community has not given enough attention to the human rights of future generations within the UN and other multilateral fora, though some recent developments aim to fill this gap. The Maastricht Principles on the rights of future generations, launched in July 2023, seek to consolidate and develop existing human rights standards to enhance the protection and fulfillment of the human rights of future generations. Through the UN Declaration on Future Generations, which is set to be adopted at the upcoming Summit of the Future (22-23 September 2024), UN Member States are committing to place a greater emphasis on the importance of centering the cardinal principle of intergenerational equity in governance.
At the 57th session of the Human Rights Council, the Special Rapporteur on the right to development, Mr Surya Deva, will present his report on “Right to development of children and future generations” (A/HRC/57/43), where he explains, among others, why and how to take seriously the human rights — including the right to development — of future generations. He recommends four policy shifts to build an ecosystem supportive of all human rights of future generations.
At this side event, experts discussed the legal norms related to the human rights of future generations, and opportunities to better protect their human rights, including with regard to the Maastricht Principles and the UN Declaration on Future Generations. The Special Rapporteur on the right to development presented the main conclusions of his report to the Human Rights Council with regard to the enjoyment of the right to development by future generations.
Speakers
Surya DEVA
UN Special Rapporteur on the right to development
H.E. Amb. Marc BICHLER
Permanent Representative of Luxembourg to the United Nations Office at Geneva
Ana Maria SUAREZ FRANCO
Accountability Coordinator & Representative in Geneva, FIAN International
Miloon KOTHARI
Member of the Drafting Committee of the Maastricht Principles
Francesca MINGRONE
Staff Attorney, Center for International Environmental Law
Environment @ HRC57
The 57th regular session of the Human Rights Council (HRC57) is taking place in Geneva and online from 9 September to 11 October 2024. With the environment high on the agenda, consult regular updates on key environmental issues at HRC57, side events, and further resources available on our dedicated HRC57 and the environment update.
Highlights
Video
Live from Palais des Nations.