Rio Declaration (Hansard, 20 July 1994)

§ Mr. Nicholas Winterton

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) pursuant to his answer of 6 July,Official Report, column 198, if he will identify the specific training activities for members of the armed forces which are undertaken in connection with treaty obligations under the terms of the Rio declaration in relation to providing protection for the environment in time of armed conflict; and if he will make a statement;

(2) what assessment he has made of the likely willingness of potential future military opponents to abide by the terms of the Rio declaration and to protect the environment in time of armed conflict; and if he will make a statement;

(3) what assessment he has made of the impact upon the United Kingdom's military effectiveness of treaty obligations under the terms of the Rio declaration to protect the environment in time of armed conflict; and if he will make a statement;

(4) pursuant to his answer of 6 July, Official Report, column 198, what specific guidance is given by his Department to the armed forces on the interpretation of treaty obligations under the terms of the Rio declaration to protect the environment in time of armed conflict;

(5) if he will list those weapons and defence systems the use of which he has identified as being contrary to treaty obligations under the terms of the Rio declaration to protect the environment in time of armed conflict; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Hanley

The Rio declaration is a statement of principles, balancing environmental concerns with the need for economic development. The declaration is not an international treaty which places specific obligations on signatory states. Principle 24 of the declaration statesWarfare is inherently destructive of sustainable development. States shall therefore respect international law providing protection for the environment in times of armed conflict and cooperate in its further development, as necessary". Accordingly, chapter 39 of agenda 21 identifies the UN General Assembly and its sixth committee as the appropriate forums for the development of international law to protect the environment in times of armed conflict. The United Kingdom is participating in the work of the sixth committee, which is being undertaken in conjunction 378W with the International Committee of the Red Cross. This work has not yet reached the stage which would enable specific guidance to be issued to the armed forces.