Aarhussáttmálinum

Aarhussáttmálinum, also known as the Aarhus Convention, is an international treaty adopted in Aarhus, Denmark, on June 25, 1998. Its full title is the Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters. The convention aims to strengthen the relationship between the public and environmental authorities. It grants citizens rights regarding access to environmental information, participation in environmental decision-making, and access to justice for environmental matters.

The convention entered into force on October 30, 2001. It is a legally binding instrument that obliges its parties to ensure that environmental information is made available to the public, that the public can participate in environmental decision-making processes, and that effective legal recourse is available for environmental matters. The Aarhus Convention is widely considered to be a significant achievement in environmental democracy.

Key provisions of the convention include the public's right to request and receive environmental information from authorities without having to state an interest. It also requires authorities to proactively disseminate environmental information. Furthermore, the convention mandates that the public should be informed about proposed plans and programs relating to the environment and given the opportunity to participate in the decision-making process. Finally, it ensures that individuals and organizations can challenge environmental decisions or failures to act through accessible and effective legal and administrative procedures.