Endorse as an Organisation
Declaration of the Rights of the Mediterranean Bioregion
A Declaration calling for the recognition of the the Mediterranean Bio-region as a legal entity subject of rights in order to permanently protect and restore it for the benefit of all living beings and for future life in harmony and cooperation with her.
Just as human beings have human rights, other beings have rights unique to their species or ecosystem and appropriate for their role and function within their communities. The rights of each being are limited by the rights of other beings and any conflict between their rights must be resolved in a way that maintains the integrity, balance and health of the Mediterranean Bio-region (hereinafter “the Mediterranean”).
Care of the Mediterranean will be governed by the following principles:
Prevention: In the face of imminent risk or danger, preventive measures will be taken, including evaluation, monitoring and control necessary to avoid the violation of the Rights of the Mediterranean Bio-region.
Precaution: When there is a danger of loss, damage or significant impact on the Mediterranean Bio-region, lack of scientific certainty should not be used as a reason to postpone the adoption of protective, effective and timely measures for the protection of the Rights of the Mediterranean Bio-region.
Restoration: Through the process of restorative justice, the States will guarantee the restoration of the Mediterranean Bio-region in order to rehabilitate its functionality, recover its evolutionary processes, structure and functions in an integral manner, and to ensure peaceful enjoyment of the Med bio-region by all its inhabitants , without prejudice to the State’s right of enforcement against those responsible for the damage caused.
Stewardship and Intergenerational Equity: Stewardship of the Mediterranean Bio-region on behalf of all its living beings will be implemented by protecting, caring for and ensuring responsible benefit of the marine environment, maintaining the integrity of marine ecosystems and preserving the intrinsic value of biodiversity within the Mediterranean Bio-region.
In dubio pro natura: To protect the Mediterranean Bio-region, when it is in violation due to any conflict, the interpretation that applies the broadest and most favourable meaning to protect and guarantee the Rights of the Mediterranean Bio-region, will prevail. In case of doubt, legal void or contradiction in the processes before courts, administrative bodies and other decision makers, they will be resolved by giving preference to the least harmful alternatives .