Environmental coalition accuses Armenia of continued Aarhus Convention violations

The Environmental Protection First (EPF) Coalition has raised fresh concerns over Armenia's adherence to international environmental agreements, specifically accusing the country of ongoing violations of the Aarhus and Espoo conventions.

At a briefing, Amin Mammadov, co-founder of the coalition, detailed the group's activities and its persistent issues with Armenia's environmental policies, Caliber.Az reports per local media. 

Formed in the summer of 2023, the coalition initially gained traction with its protest against Armenia's proposed metallurgical plant near the Arazdayan region, bordering Nakhchivan. This activism resulted in a temporary halt to the plant's construction, largely due to the solidarity of Azerbaijani NGOs and their public opposition.

Mammadov highlighted that since its inception, the coalition has monitored and reported on the environmental damage caused by more than 20 mining enterprises operating in Armenia's border regions. This data, compiled from satellite imagery, was shared publicly and with diplomatic representatives accredited in Azerbaijan.

In early 2024, the coalition supported Armenian NGOs opposing the Armenian government's gold mining plans in the Amuldagh mine. A comprehensive map detailing Armenia’s mining activities, prepared by the Azerbaijan Cartographers Public Union—a coalition member—was released in May 2024 in Armenian, English, and Azerbaijani.

Despite these efforts, Mammadov criticized the Armenian government for failing to enforce necessary Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) and for continuing to permit foreign investments in mining operations without adequate environmental oversight. 

The coalition contends that Armenia’s actions violate the Aarhus Convention, which mandates public access to environmental information, and the Espoo Convention, which requires EIA for activities affecting transboundary regions. Azerbaijani authorities and civil society have repeatedly protested these violations.

Mammadov further urged the international community to address these issues and called for increased monitoring of Armenian mining enterprises, including the involvement of Azerbaijani experts. He expressed frustration over Armenia’s lack of response to these demands and reiterated the coalition's strong objections, emphasizing the need for significant corrective actions from the Armenian government.

Environmental protection first coalition has been carrying out its activities for a year, monitoring the damage caused to the environment of the South Caucasus by mining enterprises operating in Armenia.