NGO Network in Japan Works to Promote Aarhus Convention

A Japanese translation of the Aarhus Convention by the Aarhus Net Japan (ANJ) made its formal appearance on the website of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) in September 2004. The ANJ, a non-governmental organization represented by Yuko Nakashita, a lawyer, was established in October 2003 to realize the principles and standards of the Aarhus Convention in Japan and other Asian countries. Lawyers, academics, citizens, and members of citizens' groups collaborate in this network.

The Aarhus Convention is an international environmental treaty adopted in Aarhus, Denmark in June 1998, which sets minimum standards to ensure citizens of the three following rights: access to information, public participation in decision-making and access to justice in environmental matters. It was adopted by countries that are members of the UNECE. Thirty countries, mainly in Europe, have ratified the convention as of 2004, and are adapting their domestic law systems to accord with the convention.

The importance of public participation in environmental matters is clearly noted in Principle 10 of the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development, and the Aarhus Convention stipulates that the public has the right to participate in the early stages of policy decision-making. Japan, however, is far behind in this respect, and its domestic environmental laws need to be thoroughly reviewed and revamped.

The ANJ has been involved in consciousness-raising activities, research and study, collaborating and exchanging information with groups in Japan and overseas, and making specific policy proposals. In addition, it plans to propose amendments to domestic laws that will bring them up to meet the standards set out in the Aarhus Convention. ANJ also advocates the establishment of an Asian version of the Aarhus Convention and ratification of the convention by all countries of the United Nations.

http://www.unece.org/env/pp/

Posted: 2005/02/04 10:04:58 AM
Japanese version