The Essence, Challenges and Opportunities for the Right to Healthy Environment as Human Rights: The Case of Oromia Regional State

Abstract

Ever since Stockholm conference on human environment, environmental concern became equal priority as human right in the world. However, environmental dimensions are rarely discussed in general academic treatments of human rights law, though there is no debate on their relationship. Environmental problem directly impacts the life, health, private life, and property of individual human than other states or the environment in general. Because of this, environmental right has direct relation with human rights. This paper aims to analyze opportunities as well as challenges of integrating economy and ecology as human right in the move towards sustainable development in Ethiopia; with particular focus on Oromia regional state. To achieve its goal, qualitative research method which includes review of relevant literatures, assessing legal documents as well as government commitment towards Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is made. The findings shows existence of good opportunities as the matter could be promoted on the bases of different laws. But challenged by prevalence of economy first development view; inexistence of different manuals, regulations and environmental standards, limited procedural participation in decision making, lack of political commitment and failure to take necessary measures on polluting factories. High government commitment to promote social and environmental dimension of sustainable development, enhancing good governance, and genuinely pursue SDGs commitment is recommended to bring about real protection of human right and healthy environment.