The Draft Declaration is the first international instrument that comprehensively addresses the linkage between human rights and the environment. It demonstrates that accepted environmental and human rights principles embody the right of everyone to a secure, healthy and ecologically sound environment, and it articulates the environmental dimension of a wide range of human rights. The U.N. Human Rights Commission has recognized the Draft Declaration as a significant standard-setting activity and has called for governments, specialized agencies, and intergovernmental and nongovernmental organizations to submit opinions on issues raised in Ms. Ksentini's final report, which includes the Draft Declaration. Part I 1. Human rights, an ecologically sound environment, sustainable development and peace are interdependent and indivisible.
All persons have the right to a secure, healthy and ecologically sound environment.
This right and other human rights, including civil, cultural, economic, political and social rights, are universal, interdependent and indivisible. All persons shall be free from any form of discrimination in regard to actions and decisions that affect the environment. All persons have the right to an environment adequate to meet equitably the needs of present generations and that does not impair the rights of future generations to meet equitably their needs. Part II 5. All persons have the right to freedom from pollution, environmental degradation and activities that adversely affect the environment, threaten life, health, livelihood, well-being or sustainable development within, across or outside national boundaries.