AsianSIL IELIG and ECU SLRC Submit Inputs to OHCHR on the Marshall Islands’ Nuclear Legacy

On 27 January 2026, members of the Asian Society of International Law (AsianSIL) International Environmental Law Interest Group (IELIG), in collaboration with the Socio-Legal Research Cluster (SLRC), School of Business and Law, Edith Cowan University (ECU), submitted their Response and Inputs to the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights’ (OHCHR) Call for Inputs on addressing the challenges and barriers to the full realisation of the human rights of the people of the Marshall Islands arising from the State’s nuclear legacy.

The OHCHR’s Call for Inputs sought submissions addressing the following key questions:

  1. Justice for nuclear harms: How can justice be pursued for the impacts of nuclear testing on the environment, affected communities, and future generations? Submissions were invited to provide concrete examples of relevant policies, reconciliation efforts, legislation, practices, strategies, and lived experiences.

  2. International cooperation: What is the role of international and regional cooperation in supporting justice mechanisms, and what are the most effective approaches to financing these efforts?

  3. Indigenous and community-based approaches: How can Indigenous justice systems, cultural practices, and civil society initiatives contribute to accountability for, and healing from, nuclear legacies? Contributors were encouraged to share relevant practices, customs, traditions, and case studies.

  4. Inclusive participation: What policies and practices ensure the meaningful participation of all relevant stakeholders, including diaspora communities, Indigenous Peoples, youth, women, and other affected groups?

  5. Additional recommendations: What further information, examples, or recommendations could support efforts to achieve justice for the human rights impacts of nuclear legacies?

Through this submission, the AsianSIL IELIG and ECU SLRC aim to contribute constructively to ongoing international discussions on accountability, reparative justice, and human rights protection in the context of nuclear legacies.

The full text of the Response and Inputs is available here:
https://bit.ly/4pX0gyJ

Following the conclusion of this Call for Inputs, the OHCHR will submit an outcome report to the United Nations Human Rights Council.

Contributors

  • Dr Mostafa M. Naser (Co-Chair, AsianSIL Interest Group on International Environmental Law; Edith Cowan University, Australia)

  • Amiel Ian Valdez (Co-Chair, AsianSIL Interest Group on International Environmental Law; National University of Singapore)

  • Associate Professor Mia M. Rahim (University of New England, Australia)

  • Paulina Patterson (Edith Cowan University, Australia)

  • Danica Terris (Edith Cowan University, Australia)

  • Ornela Skelaj (Edith Cowan University, Australia)

  • Lachlan Cox (Edith Cowan University, Australia)

  • Khan Chang (Edith Cowan University, Australia)

  • Ruchira Kaur Bali (LUISS Guido Carli University, Italy)

Posted in Announcements, Asia & International Law, Environmental Law, Human Rights