Other institutions have conducted campaigns that indirectly relate to environmental harms
affecting the right to health. For example, environmental issues are implicit in some campaigns
and projects run by the Australian NHRI, particularly those relating to Indigenous people and
sustainable development. 176 The Malaysian NHRI has organised programmes on the ‘right to
basic needs, adequate housing ... and right to health which touches on environmental related
issues’.177
D. Intervention in court proceedings on the issue of the
environment and the rights to life and health
Many NHRIs may intervene in court proceeding, but few reported that they had done so on the
issue of the environment and human rights. 178 India is one exception. Interestingly, the Indian
NHRI also reported that, pursuant to orders of the Supreme Court, it has been required to
prepare measures to address alleged human rights violations, and to monitor the
implementation of these measures, in an action relating to land reform in the Orissa State.
E. Introduction of Bills and participation in legislation-making
All NHRIs indicated that they had capacity to scrutinise legislation and several indicated that
they had done so in relation to the environment. The Thai NHRI has made recommendations
about ‘the problem of water shortage in the eastern part of Thailand’. 179 The South Korean
NHRI reported making several recommendations to government, including in relation to the use
of water resources, climate change and procedural rights.
176
Ibid 99.
Ibid 135-6.
178
Ibid 99, 120, 167.
179
Ibid 184.
177
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