Human Rights Comm condemns Japan’s decision to dump nuclear wastewater in the Pacific Ocean

The Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission has condemned the Japanese Government’s decision to dump the treated nuclear wastewater from the reactors at Fukushima Daiichi in the Pacific Ocean and is calling on the Pacific Island leaders to stand in solidarity to oppose the dumping of the nuclear waste in our waters.

Commission Chairperson, Pravesh Sharma says the right to a clean and healthy environment is linked to other fundamental human rights like the right to life, health, food, water, and sanitation among others.

He says they also implore the Fijian Government to uphold its constitutional obligations to protect the rights of all persons in Fiji as stipulated under section 40 (1) of the Fijian Constitution.

Section 40 (1) of the Constitution says every person has the right to a clean and healthy environment, which includes the right to have the natural world protected for the benefit of present and future generations through legislative and other measures.

Sharma says the Commission is concerned that the crucial strides taken by state actors, civil society groups, environmental associates and stakeholders over the years to promote and protect the healthy environment around us is being undermined by those supporting the disposal of treated nuclear waste in the Pacific Ocean.

He says it must be noted that the UN General Assembly has already adopted a resolution declaring that the right to a healthy, clean and sustainable environment is a universal human right that is now enshrined in our Constitution.

Sharma adds it is the duty of everyone to protect that right.