Wake Forest Law Professor John Knox Urges U.N. to Consider Connection of Environment to Human Rights

Wake Forest Law Professor John Knox, the United Nations Independent Expert on human rights and the environment, addressed a gathering of environmental ministers and high level officials in Nairobi and urged them to consider the connections between environmental harm and human rights.

“Human rights and the environment are not only interrelated, they are also interdependent,” Knox stressed. “A healthy environment is fundamentally important to the enjoyment of human rights, and the exercise of human rights is necessary for a healthy environment.”

The forum took place February 18-22 in Nairobi, Kenya. Knox also convened a consultation from February 22-23, with both events leading up to the presentation of a full report from the U.N. Independent Experts in March. Read more about his presentation here.

CEES also featured Professor Knox earlier in the year, highlighting the importance of his work in this area.