49 NGOs and eco-activists from 22 countries issued a statement regarding the works implemented in Armenia’s mining industry breach international environmental norms and standards are disrupting the ecosystem of the world, APA reports.
The statement reads:
“We, the undersigned civil society organizations (CSOs) express deep concerns regarding the serious environmental damage caused by the works carried out in the mining industry of the Republic of Armenia that violating international environmental norms and standards.
Air and water pollution in Armenia’s mining industry once regarded as a localized issue, has metastasized into a menacing force with far-reaching consequences not only for the South Caucasus but for the whole world. By polluting transboundary rivers Armenia’s mining industry is suspected of causing a range of environmental problems in a wider geography stretching from Eastern Europe to Central Asia.
The UN recognizes a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment as a fundamental human right.
As the global community rallies around the UN SDGs and intensifies efforts to address environmental challenges, Armenia’s actions are in contrast with these endeavors, as well as Transboundary Rivers Convention and the UN Economic Commission for Europe Convention on Environmental Impact Assessment in a Transboundary Context (Espoo Convention).
Considering the upcoming COP29 will be held in the South Caucasus, in Azerbaijan, Armenia should further protect the environment, thus to fulfill its own obligations stemming from international conventions.
As a party to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the primary international treaty addressing climate change, to the Kyoto Protocol, the international agreement linked to the UNFCCC that sets binding emission reduction targets for developed countries, the Paris Agreement, an international treaty under the UNFCCC that aims to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels Armenia took commitments to a
ddressing climate change on a global scale and follow the rules and regulations in protecting the planet.
We urge the Armenian government and the private companies operating in Armenia’s mining industry to open the doors of all facilities to international experts specialized in the field of ecology and health, including to specialized NGOs from neighboring countries to allow them to inspect the facilities, evaluate and conduct monitoring, taking appropriate samples, and measuring.
We share the deep concerns of civil society organizations of Armenia and Azerbaijan recently addressed to Armenian government and the companies involved to cease the mining actions in Amulsar gold mine which poses significant toxic and radioactive pollution risks for the ecosystem.”
Signatures:
Maryam Danesh, Washington and Lee University, USA
Guy Alexander Eames, Planet 2030, UK
Saurabh Kumar, YOUNGO, India
Patsi Stillo, Partners in Health, USA
Sergey Uchayev, RNGO ‘Ishonch va Hayot’, Uzbekistan
Matt Garnett, Michigan Univ
ersity, USA
Ahmad Hudu Abdullahi, Afrihealth Optonet Association, Nigeria
Gleb Evgenev, MADI, Russia
Konadu Jone, Altar Relief Foundation, Kenya
Erna Jašarevic, NGO Bridges of friendship, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Manoj Prabhu, Dure Technologies, Switzerland
Emeri Eliud, TUBAE International, Kenya
José María Di Bello, Fundación GEP, Argentina
Kristina Zhorayeva, AFEW Kazakstan, Kazakstan
Erlina Burhan, Indonesia Society of Respirologi, Indonesia
Carm Citro, Partners in Health, USA
Prof.Dr.Zeki Kilichaslan, ‘Istanbul Verem savas dernegi’, Turkey
Peter Owiti, ‘Wote’ Youth Development Projects CBO, Kenya
Kristine Yakhama, Good Health Community Programmes, Kenya
John Akinnuba, Centre for Ecological and Community Development, Nigeria
Naomie Nguemadjibaye dabot, ong green accademy of climate chad, Chad
Ermin Jašarevic, NGO Bridges of Friendship, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Samuel Iro Timoro, Tunetad Association, Kenya
Gabriel Ekalale, Asegis Community Network, Kenya
Nishant Chavan, Independent Public Hea
lth Consultant, India
Filiz Duyar Agca, Trk Toraks Dernegi, TB Working Group, Turkey
Ali Iklaga, Natural Eco Capital, Nigeria
Olorun Femi, Natural Eco Capital, Nigeria
Alfred Edapal, Lomeds NGO, Kenya
Ezekeil Odeoh, Agro Environmental Farmers Association-AGEFA, Kenya
Rebecca Abulon, Asegis Community Network, Kenya
Stephen Anguva Shikoli, Network of TB Champions Kenya
Lemaya Lumbasi, A4Ek, Kenya
Fernando Sanches, Brazilian Nursing Network for the Brazil Free of Tuberculosis, Brazil
Norman Kagiso Matiting, Tbpeople Global, Botswana
Festus Ngisipaan, Kakuma healthsafety Association, Kenya
Shemsettin Kuzeci, Kerkuk Culture Union, Turkmanali- Irak
Ere Gabriel Erukudi, LPF NGO, Kenya
Lochuch Yatu, Todanyatu Community-based organisation, Kenya
Joseph Ngaukon Achuka, Ayok Multi-Development organization (AMDO), Kenya
alkachew Fekadu, VHS, Ethiopia
Prof.Dr.Ejaz Khan, Health Services Academy, Pakistan
Karani Frankline, Loyifam NGO, Kenya
Mohmad Hosain Lone, International Human Rights Commission, Switz
erland
Charles Quist, Carepal Foundation, Ghana
Shamsiya Kukanbekova, Stop TB Partnership, Tajikistan
Nicolai Russu, Youth vision NGO, Moldova
Collins Major Kinyuru – Pamoja TB group, Kenya
Joseph Kilonzo – BISC NGO, Kenya
Source: Azeri-Press news agency