UNITED NATIONS A General Assembly Distr. GENERAL A/HRC/5/5 5 May 2007 Original: ENGLISH HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL Fifth session Item 2 of the provisional agenda IMPLEMENTATION OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION 60/251 OF 15 MARCH 2006 ENTITLED “HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL” Adverse effects of the illicit movement and dumping of toxic and dangerous products and wastes on the enjoyment of human rights Report of the Special Rapporteur, Okechukwu Ibeanu Summary This report focuses on the impact of armed conflict on exposure to toxic and dangerous products and wastes. Although war has always had an adverse effect on the environment, the voluntary or incidental release of toxic and dangerous products in contemporary armed conflicts has an important adverse effect on the enjoyment of human rights. The report not only examines the direct impact of armed conflict, but also its consequences on control of the movement and storage of toxic and dangerous products and wastes. The report also analyses the human rights dimension of this issue in the particular context of armed conflict, notably those rights which can be adversely affected. It sets out the legal framework applicable to this issue and identifies the potential duty bearers. The Special Rapporteur ends his report with a series of recommendations which aim to prevent or at least to mitigate the adverse effects of exposure to toxic and dangerous products as a result of armed conflict. GE.07-12563 (E) 230507