World community calls on int'l organisations to put an end to Armenia's environmental crimes

The number of international NGOs joining the statement signed by civil society organisations from a number of countries to protest against the potentially harmful impact of Armenia's planned construction of a metallurgical plant in Arazdeyen on both people and our planet, a possible ecological disaster, is steadily growing.

According to Azertag, the number of supporters of the statement signed on June 29 by 32 non-governmental organisations from different countries is approaching 70. This once again testifies to the international community's worry that Armenia may cause a global environmental catastrophe.

It should be noted that the statement expresses concern that the joint project of Armenia and the United States, which will be built in Arazdeyen, will cause a new ecological disaster.

It is stressed that the establishment of this large metallurgical plant is a gross violation of internationally recognised standards and principles, in particular those formulated in the UN Economic Commission for Europe (ECE) Convention on Environmental Impact Assessment in a Transboundary Context (Espoo Convention).

It is brought to attention that the construction of such a facility on the border without obtaining the consent of the Azerbaijani side is a blatant violation of the 1991 Espoo Convention. The Espoo Convention requires a thorough environmental impact assessment of the mill. The assessment document related to the construction of the mill should be reviewed by relevant Azerbaijani institutions, and eco-activists, taking into account the opinion of neighbouring Azerbaijani residents living in close proximity to the region.

The construction of such a mill is detrimental to people and the planet, a red line for civil society given the far-reaching consequences and the threat it poses to human health, the environment and true sustainability.

The potential effects of the smelter's toxic chemical waste on the local ecosystem are significant. This environmental impact will definitely affect human health and safety as well as flora, fauna, soil, air and water. The possibility of discharging these wastes into the Araz River raises alarm and concern about the fate of the river fauna as well as large farms that use the waters of the Araz for irrigation.

In light of this, NGOs call on relevant international organisations, such as the UN Environment Programme, the World Health Organisation, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Environment and the UN Special Rapporteur on Harmful Substances and Human Rights, to respond to this situation and take appropriate measures. It is noted that Armenia's ongoing environmental violations must come to an end.

The statement also urges the US to recognise these risks and stop supporting the construction of the above-mentioned metallurgical plant in Arazdeyen.

Signatures:

1. Mariam Danesh, Washington and Li Univeristy, USA

2. Samir Shah, Civil Society Adviser on Tuberculosis, United Kingdom

3. Ezio Tavora dos Santos Filho “REDE-TB” organization, Brasil

4. Cos Maria Di Bello, GEP Foundation, Argentina

5. Umarov Rustamcon, environmental activist, Student at Hiroshima University, Japan

6. Svetlana Doltu, AFI NGO, the Republic of Moldova

7. Olya Klimenko, “TBPeopleUkraine” organization, Ukraine

8. Inna Gavrilova, Public Health Alliance, Ukraine

9. Sergey Uchayev, “ISHONCH VA HAYOT” NGO, Uzbekistan

10. Nikoloz Mirzashvili, TBpeople network, Sakartvelo, Georgia

11. Sok Chamreun Choub, Khmer HIV/AIDS NGO Alliance (KHANA), Cambodia

12. Steven Anguva Shikoli, Tuberculosis Survivors Network, Kenya

13. Colins Major Kinyuru, Pamoja Survivor group, Kenya

14. Josef Kilonzo, BISC, Kenya

15. Elchin Mukhtarli, Azerbaijan Anti-tuberculosis NGO Coalition

16. Peter Ngola, “Vot Gənclərin İnkişafı Layihələri” icma-əsaslı təşkilatı, Kenya

17. Charles Gvist, “Carepal” Foundation, Ghana

18. Parvana Valiyeva, "Health Care" Public Union, Azerbaijan

19. Chingiz Ramazanli, TBpeople Azerbaijan, “"For a Tuberculosis-Free Future" Public Union, Azerbaijan

20. Prof.Dr.Zeki Kilicaslan, “Istanbul Fight against Tuberculosis Association", Türkiye

21. Dr. Shemsettin Kuzeci, president, Kerkuk Culture Association, Türkiye

22. Abass A Kamara, volunteer, Sierra-Leone Golden Crescent Society, Sierra-Leone

23. Mohmad Hussein Lone, Human Rights activist, Official volunteer of the International Human Rights Commission based in Switzerland, Jammu Kashmir, India

24. Cordelia Adamu, African Development Network for Environment and Health, Nigeria

25. Germain Marius Hepi, Diplomat, Switzerland/Camerun President of the Humanitarian Organization OSER, Kamerun

26. Norman Cagiso Matiting, Tuberculosis Survivors Network, Botsvana

27. Nishant Chavan, Independent Public Health Consultant, India

28. Filiz Duyar Agca, Thorax Association, Turkish Tuberculosis Working Group, Türkiye

29. Hashim Abdul Halim, Department of Health and Family Welfare, Government of West Bengal, India

30. Kinz Eman, “Stop TB Partnership Pakistan”, Pakistan

31. Zishan Ahmed, Punjab Provincial Tuberculosis Control Program, Pakistan

32. Mohmad Hussain, Institute of Allergy and Clinical Immunology of Bangladesh (IACIB), Bangladesh

33. Dr. Zafar Nowshad Wani, TB Doctor, India

34. Shamsiya Kukanbekova, Stop TB Partnership, Tajikistan

35. Navruzmoh Vazirbekova, Stop TB Partnership, Tajikistan

36. Habib Hakimov, Stop TB Partnership, Tajikistan

37. Hilol Khudonazarov, Stop TB Partnership, Tajikistan

38. Raushan Zheteyeva, OO "Казахстанская ассоциация фтизиопульмонологов", Kazakhstan

39. Erlina Burhan, Indonesia Society of Respirologi, Indonesia

40. Eliud Emeri, Consortium of Grassroots Organizations in Kenya (CGoK), Kenya

41. Samuel Iro Timoro, Turkana network Trust action for Disability, Kenya

42. Kevin Murangiri Maina, Kiongozi Foundation, Kenya

43. Ali Mwayanga, Kwale Focus Empowerment CBO, Kenya

44. Peter Musyoka, Twene Mbee Networking and Development group(CBO), Kenya

45. Fred Wanyonyi, Rural Empowerment Development Organization - REDO Kenya, Kenya

46. Ebenyo Ome Godwin, Ome, Okoa Pastoralists Poverty Eradication Initiative (OPPEI), Kenya

47. Ridhiwani Sadiki, Citizen Network For Rural Development Kenya, Kenya

48. Lucy Erika, Women Peace Forum, Turkana

49. Elizabeth Lotengan, Women Peace Forum, Kenya

50. Adung Zipporah Lokere, Lopeo Peace, Kenya

51. Emmanuel Eregae, Lopeo, Kenya

52. Wycliffe Alala, Nyakach Social Justice Center, Kenya

53. Cornellius Lochuch, Todanyatu Organization, Turkana County

54. Ezekiel Odeoh, Agro Environmental Farmers Association-AGEFA, Bungoma, Kenya

55. Benson Ekeno Ebei, Turkana West Youth Empowerment (Tuwye), Kenya

56. Dannis Nataparin Lapur, Kenya Youth Organizations, Kenya

57. Paulina Akai Ejore, Kenya Youth Federation, Kenya

58. Joseph Ng'aukon Achuka, Ayok Multi Development Org(Amdo), Kenya

59. Raymond Mutama, Universal Fellowship Organization, Kenya

60. Mary Kirima Mary, Citizen progresdive association 2000, Kenya

61. Abdishakur Adan Mohamed, African Social Development Focus –ASDEF, Kenya

62. Fatuma Abdullahi Ahmed, Women Right Advocacy Initiative, Kenya

63. Faith Kiema, Kitui women in development, Kenya

64. Sylvia Nakadi, Kamarngole CBO, Kenya.