Recognition of these rights is found in articles 19, 25 and 14 of the ICCPR respectively, with similar recognition in regional instruments including the American Convention on Human Rights. The importance of access to information in environmental matters was first clearly elaborated in the Rio declaration, principle 10 of which states that “environmental issues are best handled with participation of all concerned citizens” and principle 20 and 22 which specifically refer to the need to ensure the participation of indigenous peoples and women. 33 Effective procedural rights also provide a degree of accountability and transparency that may help to address institutional corruption, (discussed below at page 22). In 1998, the Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-Making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters entered into force. It is recognised as the most significant articulation of procedural rights in the environmental context, and, though a regional treaty developed under the auspices of the UN Economic Commission for Europe, it is open for signature by any country. Further commentary on procedural rights and their essential elements can be found in Annex 4 Other areas of international law Provisions exist in other areas of international law that may assist in addressing environmental concerns. International humanitarian law provides one such example. Article 35.3 of Protocol 1 Additional to the Geneva Conventions of 1949 prohibits the employment of methods of warfare which are intended or may be expected to cause widespread, long-term and severe damage to the natural environment. Furthermore, the Convention on the Prohibition of Military or Any Other Hostile Use of Environmental Modification Techniques, which has as its objective, the prevention of environmental modification techniques as a weapon of war. Recommendations A list of recommendations is contained in Part 2. Recommendations relevant to this term of reference include: • • • • • 1.3. 2.1. 2.4. 3.1. 4.2. Application of existing rights Review of Domestic Regulation Procedural rights Domestic Implementation Public Awareness 33 See Rio Declaration on Environment and Development. A/CONF.151/26 (Vol. I). 12 August 1992 Available at: http://www.un.org/documents/ga/conf151/aconf15126-1annex1.htm. See also ILO 169, above note 25, Art 15. - 15 -