Advisory Committee Human Rights Council: Intervention OceanCare

The Advisory Committee is a 18-member expert body that functions as a think-tank for the UN Human Rights Council, providing expertise in the manner and form requested by it. Its members are independent experts from five geographic regions, elected by the Human Rights Council. More information on the Committee and its work can be found here.

At the request of the UN Human Rights Council, the Advisory Committee is currently working on a comprehensive study on the implications of plastic pollution for the full enjoyment of human rights, based on a comprehensive approach that addresses the full life cycle of plastic. To inform this study, different panel sessions were held and OceanCare was invited to the 33rd session in February 2025 and gave an oral presentation. After all the interventions by the leading experts, the panel session was followed by comments and/or questions from Committee members, Member States, and other stakeholders participating in the session.

Fellow expert panellists were

• Dr. Maria Neira (WHO)
• Mr Marcos Orellana (UN Special Rapporteur on toxics and human rights)
• Daria Cibrario (Public Services International)
• Ronald Steenblik (Quaker United Nations Office – QUNO)

The core points of OceanCare’s interventions were

• The plastic crisis clashes with the fundamental rights to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment.
• As a single interconnected biome, the ocean requires a holistic, ecosystem-based-approach to safeguard its health – along with the human communities and marine life that depend on it. An approach, that integrates human rights, the rights of nature staying within planetary boundaries.
• No level of plastic pollution is acceptable — the ocean must remain free from human-induced plastic pollution, regardless of human interests.
• A paradigm shift is needed: Beyond rejecting nature’s commodification, we must challenge the dualistic mindset that would separate humanity and nature.
• In relation to the upcoming study as per Decision 56/117, I proposed:
  – To go beyond the precautionary principle and adopt a protection principle which would more clearly shift the burden of proof onto those who economically benefit from plastic-related activities, requiring them to demonstrate that their actions do not harm the environment.
  – Restoration and remediation must be part of the future Plastics Treaty but should be conducted in an environmentally sound manner.
  – The best clean-up strategy is strong policy that tackles plastic at its source.
  – Ghost Plastic fishing gear has severe impacts on ocean biodiversity and harms coastal communities. It requires a tailored approach within the negotiations of the new Plastics Treaty
  – Addressing plastic pollution in all ecosystems means addressing plastic itself.

What was clear from this expert panel session

Plastic pollution is not just an environmental issue—it is a human rights crisis. The time for half-measures is over. Urgent action is needed: strong policies, corporate accountability, tax justice, and inclusive governance that prioritises people over profit.