The Necessity of Limiting the Absolute Sovereignty of States over Natural Resources in light of Sustainable Development

Sustainable development is an approach to development whereby economic, social and environmental considerations are taken into account in order to ensure that present as well as future generations continue to enjoy the benefits of development. This approach is directly related to the realization of human rights in the development process. Non-conformance to environmental considerations in the process of development has adverse effects on human rights. However, a human rights-oriented approach to development will provide the necessary basis for ensuring environmental considerations in economic development. Although the exercise of full sovereignty by states over their natural resources and national development programs is accepted by the international community, this approach has some adverse trans-boundary environmental effects, which impact the human rights of affected communities. Restricting the absolute sovereignty of states in the exploitation of their natural resources, as well as in the formulation of their national development plans in line  with environmental considerations, is necessary so as to guarantee the promotion of human rights in the development process.