The eleventh meeting of the Task Force on Access to Justice took place from 27 February 2018 (afternoon) to 28 February 2018 in Geneva (Palais des Nations, Salle XXI).
The present meeting aimed to provide a platform for exchanging information on key recent developments concerning legislation, policy and case law with regard to the implementation of the third pillar of the Convention and possible measure to remove barriers hampering its implementation and therefore to contribute to implementing targets 16.3 (Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all) and 16.10 (Ensure public access to information and protect fundamental freedoms, in accordance with national legislation and international agreements) of the Sustainable Development Goal 16 and other relevant goals and targets.
The thematic session of the meeting focused on promoting effective access to justice in cases on the right to environmental information. The Task Force took stock of good practices, barriers, challenges, innovative approaches, priority actions and needs to further promote effective access to justice in such cases and agreed to launch a survey to collect more detailed information on the matter. In addition, delegates discussed new developments related to the implementation of the third pillar of the Convention in general terms. The participants also examined tools to promote effective access to justice, including e-justice initiatives and initiatives promoting capacity-building and cooperation. Finally, the Task Force discussed the prioritization of the work during the inter-sessional period 2017-2021 in the light of decision VI/5. More information is available in the list of key outcomes as agreed by the Task Force (see document AC/TF.AJ-11/Inf.5 below).
The Task Force based its work on the outputs delivered at the previous meetings. The background material for the meeting included relevant information derived from 2017 national implementation reports and the 2017 synthesis report as well as the Implementation Guide , relevant Compliance Committee findings of a systemic nature, analytical studies and jurisprudence database.
The meeting preceded by a special session (27 February 2018, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.) for members of judiciary, judicial training institutions and other independent review bodies dedicated to effective judicial protection of the right to environmental information.
Read more about the meeting here.
Tags for the meeting: @UNECEAarhus, #AccesstoJustice, #EnvironmentalRights, #Right2info, #SDG16