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This Side Event to the 51st Session of the Human Rights Council discussed the report of the UN Special Rapporteur on Toxics and Human Rights on the use of mercury in small-scale gold mining and its impact on human rights. The event was organized by the Special Rapporteur on Toxics and Human Rights, and co-sponsored by the United Nations Environment Programme, the International Positive Education Network (IPEN), and the Geneva Environment Network.

Dr. Marcos Orellana’s presentation to the UN General Assembly on his report on the effects of plastics on human rights. .

The United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) is a high- level advisory body to the Economic and Social Council. The Forum was established on 28 July 2000ÌýbyÌýresolution 2000/22,Ìýwith the mandateÌýto deal with indigenous issues related toÌýeconomic and social development,Ìýculture,Ìýthe environment,Ìýeducation,ÌýhealthÌýandÌýhuman rights. Dr. Marcos Orellana made a statement on the issue of toxics and indigenous peoples.

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UN Special Rapporteur Dr. Orellana participated in DEVE's workshop addressing environmental crimes in developing countries. He address several pressing issues such as the crime of ecocide and the regulation of mercury in artisanal and small gold mining. He also highlighted the exports of banned pesticides from Europe to devloping countries, such as in the tragedy of toxic waste from Sweden sent to Arica, Chile, and Tunisia illegally taking in hundreds of tons of Italy's waste.

This briefing, organized in the run-up to the Fifth Session of the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA-5), presented and discussed two of the reports on chemicals and waste issues that were requested to be developed at UNEA-4.