International legal guarantees for the exercise of the human and civil right to environmental information

Abstract

This paper raises an urgent issue of securing guarantees for the exercise of the right to access information on the state of the environment in international legal documents. Accordingly, the purpose of this paper is aimed at coverage and analysis of international legal norms that establish guarantees for the exercise of human and civil rights to environmental information, as well as access to information about the activities of state authorities. The method for investigating this issue is to analyse the current national legislation, which suggests that international legal norms meet their conditions in national regulations. The presentation of the general material includes the normative content of international legal documents that directly or indirectly relate to the implementation of the right of human and citizen to information and establish guarantees for the exercise of the right to environmental information, as well as the importance of media in covering the activities of state authorities. This paper analyses the state of exercise of such international norms in national legislation. Certain legal guarantees for the exercise of the right to receive environmental information are investigated. Examples of protection of the violated right of access to environmental information are given. To exercise the right to information, it is important not only to have the norms consolidated in the legislation, but also to have a system of guarantees and opportunities for their implementation, which should be provided by public authorities. International legal instruments establish only general approaches to the protection of rights, and their further development and consolidation is undoubtedly the responsibility of national bodies. However, over time, approaches to understanding environmental information, expanding its list, and subjects who have the right to receive it change, and therefore work in this area should continue for a wider opportunity to exercise the right of access to such information. The materials of this paper are of practical value for persons who were denied or made difficult in any form to obtain the desired information, having the right to do so per Article 50 of the Constitution of Ukraine, which stipulates that every person is guaranteed the right to free access to information about the state of the environment.