Iranian implementation in Lake Urmia within the frame of environmental rights

Nowadays, the right to environment is accepted as a human right, completing its rapid development within the rigths in the third generation. In addition, if looked at the qualification of the environmental problems, it is extensively accepted that these problems have exceeded the national boundaries. For this reason, the right to environment is not only the topic of national law, but also the topic of international law. Urmia Lake, located in the South Azerbaijan Region of Iran, have been facing environmental problems for the last 50 years. The studies on this subject generally focus on the causes and solutions of the water level change. The absence of effective watershed management, climate change and the interventions of the state are the general reasons why Urmia Lake is dried up. The dams built on the rivers flowing to the lake, the road construction that divides the lake into two and the projects planned in accordance with the self-sufficiency policy in agriculture are the most important reasons for the lake to come to its present situation. Although the effects of state interventions are clearly stated in the studies about the lake, Iran does not take the necessary and effective steps to prevent the lake from drying out. The case of the Aral Lake, which has experienced a similar catastrophe, is an example of Urmia Lake and its surrounding ecosystem. The sources of international environmental law aiming to protect the right to environment are the principles that form the basis of the treaties and the agreements signed. Within the scope of these principles and agreements, implementations of Iran in Urmia Lake will be examined and the violations of Iran about the right to environment will be determined.