Concept of environment, sustainable development and respect for human rights

• Author: Urjana Çuri
• Position: University Cristal, Fier, Albania
• Pages: 219-229

Concept of environment, sustainable development and respect

for human rights

PhD Student Urjana ÇURI

1

Abstract

The insistence on the definition of environmental protection is an aspira tion which

has served a s prer equisites to the implementation of human rights in a global economic

crises. Eur opean Regional System has tr aditionally been focused on the protection of civil

and political r ights. In the wake of environ mental risks that imply the violation of human

rights, the empha sis has been placed more on the social, economic and cultural. Collective

mechanisms to appeal to the United Nations a nd the European Court of Human Rights,

gave a number of decisions on matter s implicating environmental la ws a nd policies. What

is to be noted, is the evolution of the guara ntees provided under the European Con vention

on Human Rights, which refers to a substantial u ndersta nding of environmental pr otection,

and a lso including procedur al aspects r elated to the pr otection of the right to life, pr ivacy,

property, information and effective means of a ppeal. This evolution h as been la unched by

the growing need for states to ta ke preventive measures and policies to the requirements for

a ba lanced sustaina ble economic development, avoiding environmental r isks that imply the

violation of human rights. Pr oportionality in the protection of the interests in this respect

creates a context for a fair tr ial, b ut a lso promotes an open a nd constr uctive dialogue

between judges and lawmakers to protect the p ublic interest .

Keywords: Environment, Sustaina ble Economic Development, Public in terest, the

rights of the individual.

JEL Classification: K32, K33

1. Urgency to prevent environmental pollution

Urban Massacre happened because of Hurricane Sandy2, in America in

24 states, from Florida to Maine, West Michigan and Wisconsin, with particularly

serious consequences in New Jersey and New York, reminded us that such events

should not be neglected when it comes to environmental issues. Its storm lashed

New York City on October 29 covering with strong currents roads, tunnels,

subway. While years on July 11th Copenhagen waters flooded a 135 mm rainfall

intensity in 2 hours3. Air pollution by high concentration of dust (PM), O3, NO2,

BAP, SO2, CO, benzene and heavy metals such as Arsenic, CADMIUM, nickel

returned to cause danger to the environment as eutrophication , acidification, heart

disease, respiratory complications, lung cancer, and other diseases or. Some

1 Urjana Çuri - University Cristal, Fier, Albania, urjanac@yahoo.com

2 Beychok, M.R. (2005). Fundamentals Of Stack Gas Dispersion (4th ed.), author-published,

www.air-dispersion.com

3 Pattberg, P; Stripple, J. (2008). "Beyond the public and private divide: remapping transnational

Climate governance in the 21st century." Inter national Environmental Agreements: Politics, Law

and Economics