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GENEVA TAKES TEGHOUT'S SIDE
ArmInfo
2010-11-01 14:03:00
ArmInfo. The Aarhus Convention's compliance committee in Geneva
reached a decision Armenia doesn't comply with certain obligations
imposed on it as a Convention Party.
EcoLur NGO told ArmInfo that in its decision the Committee proposes
the Government of Armenia to take necessary measures to regulate this
situation on legislative and administrative level and to take practical
measures. This decision was reached in reply to the communication filed
by three NGOs - Transparency International Anti-corruption Centre,
Ecodar and Helsinki Citizens' Assembly of Vanadzor. The maater concerns
long-term development of copper and molybdenum deposits in Teghout,
Lori Region, when right to efficient public participation related to
decision-making was violated (Part 2 of the Aarhus Convention).
The communication alleges that judicial practice is still restrictive
in the interpretation of the provisions allowing for locus standi
(namely the ability of an individual or entity to show at a court
that it has sufficient interest and connection to a situation that
support its participation in a case before the court) to organizations
in environmental cases. Different courts illegitimately rejected the
claims lodged by different NGOs. Since 2006 public has been demanding
to stop Teghout project.
In 2007 a protest demonstration was held against Teghout project, and
as a result, 4000 mail-appeals were sent from different countries to
e-mails of various state bodies and organs. In 2009 Teghout Support
Group activists collected more than 10,000 signatures against Teghout
project.
Reminder, Armenia has been a Party to the Aarhus Convention and
assumed appropriate obligations since May 2001, the date of the
convention ratification.
From: A. Papazian
ArmInfo
2010-11-01 14:03:00
ArmInfo. The Aarhus Convention's compliance committee in Geneva
reached a decision Armenia doesn't comply with certain obligations
imposed on it as a Convention Party.
EcoLur NGO told ArmInfo that in its decision the Committee proposes
the Government of Armenia to take necessary measures to regulate this
situation on legislative and administrative level and to take practical
measures. This decision was reached in reply to the communication filed
by three NGOs - Transparency International Anti-corruption Centre,
Ecodar and Helsinki Citizens' Assembly of Vanadzor. The maater concerns
long-term development of copper and molybdenum deposits in Teghout,
Lori Region, when right to efficient public participation related to
decision-making was violated (Part 2 of the Aarhus Convention).
The communication alleges that judicial practice is still restrictive
in the interpretation of the provisions allowing for locus standi
(namely the ability of an individual or entity to show at a court
that it has sufficient interest and connection to a situation that
support its participation in a case before the court) to organizations
in environmental cases. Different courts illegitimately rejected the
claims lodged by different NGOs. Since 2006 public has been demanding
to stop Teghout project.
In 2007 a protest demonstration was held against Teghout project, and
as a result, 4000 mail-appeals were sent from different countries to
e-mails of various state bodies and organs. In 2009 Teghout Support
Group activists collected more than 10,000 signatures against Teghout
project.
Reminder, Armenia has been a Party to the Aarhus Convention and
assumed appropriate obligations since May 2001, the date of the
convention ratification.
From: A. Papazian