Press-release
The event is unique for Ukraine because for the first time in history of independence of this country it gathered leading environmental lawyers from all over the world who form environmental policy and environmental law in such countries as the USA, Canada, Poland, Sweden, Spain, Germany, Hungary, Georgia, Armenia, Mexico, Moldova, Belarus. Participants of the symposium are the most successful practical lawyers and scholars in the sphere of environmental law, developers of environmental legislation in their countries, authors of international agreements and conventions in the sphere of environmental protection, members of environmental protection international bodies, in particular of relevant commissions and committees of the United Nations Organization.The theme of the event is currently very important for Ukraine because it is for the first time that discussion of interrelation of environmental protection and the basic human right – the right to life – was taken to such a high level. This innovative approach first introduced by Prof. Svitlana Kravchenko is increasingly recognized in the whole world and finds its reflection in legislation and jurisprudence.
Environmental law cannot be treated separately whether through policy options, legislation or judicial doctrine in cases. Law in the field of human rights cannot be alienated from care about life quality on the earth. For decades environmental rights have been recognized by professors and practical lawyers as inalienable part of human rights. International and national courts in Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Americas interpret agreements and conventions, national constitutions and human rights legislation in the way to advance environmental protection. The international symposium in Lviv was devoted to consideration of environmental issues through the prism of human rights, the role of environmental law in European reforms in new Ukraine.
Participants of the symposium worked to develop practical proposals for Ukraine in the sphere of legal protection of the environment, in particular the ways of improving environmental legislation and solving such urgent problems as rehabilitation of environment in the zone of antiterrorist operation (ATO). Colleagues from the Environmental Law Alliance Worldwide (ELAW) shared their experience of restoring environment in zones of armed conflicts and developed a program of joint work together with Ukrainian colleagues.
“The event became a milestone for opening new dimensions of legal methods of protecting environmental rights and environment in a new Ukraine, and as wrote the human rights lawyer in the period of military dictatorship of 1976-1983 in Argentina, the victim of tortures, professor of environmental law Alberto Kattan, “Once you open your eyes in this world,it is a commitment.You can never close them again.” We also have no right to stop after having outlined the main issues in the sphere of protection of human rights and environment in Ukraine. We have to do our best to restore the environment in the ATO zone, to preserve favorable environment for future generations in this country. This issue should be integrated into the complex of reforms to be realized in the country,” the Executive Director of International Charitable Organization “Environment-People-Law” said.
“The symposium became the forum for identification of directions of further profound international cooperation that will stimulate establishment in new Ukraine of the rule of law for environmental protection and protection of environmental rights,” the development director Hanna Khomechko added.
Participants of the symposium wrote an open statement encouraging environmental lawyers from all over the world to do everything possible to stop Russian military aggression in the East of Ukraine and stop destruction of the environment in the zone of military actions. Moreover, the below presented action plan was developed.
Agenda for a new Ukraine
We support:
1. The observance, effective use, and enforcement of international treaties and other agreements applicable to Ukraine. This includes all of the territory of Ukraine, including the temporarily occupied areas and areas of armed conflict.
2. Ensuring environmental security prior, during, and after armed conflict. In the current situation, urgent attention must be paid by international organizations and the government of Ukraine to making assessments of all aspects of the harm done by armed conflict and developing plans for rectifying it.
3. Overcoming barriers to access to justice and the development of judicial practice in the public interest.
4. Demanding funding by governments and other institutions for litigation by lawyers who are devoted to serving the interests of the public and not commercial interests.
5. Training for, sharing experiences with, and raising awareness of judges and lawyers concerning environmental law and human rights and providing platforms in which these may more easily occur.
6. Development and improvement of national and international legislation for human rights and protection of the environment.
7. The integration of Ukraine, a European nation, with European Union institutions, standards, laws, and policies, as well as maximum support for this by European and international bodies.
