On June 29, the civil society organizations of a number of countries issued a statement to oppose a potential environmental catastrophe with detrimental effects on both human beings and the planet over construction of the metallurgical plant in Arazdayan.
The number of countries supporting the statement, initially signed by 32 nongovernmental organizations, reached 70.
The statement in particular says:
“As Civil Society organizations, we, the undersigned, are issuing a collective statement expressing our opposition and deep concern to the construction of an Armenian-American sizable metallurgical plant.
The establishment of this large-scale metallurgical plant blatantly disregards internationally recognized standards and principles, especially those articulated in the UN Economic Commission for Europe Convention on Environmental Impact Assessment in a Transboundary Context (Espoo Convention).
The construction of such a facility on the border without mutual agreement from the Azerbaijani side constitutes a blatant violation of the 1991 Espoo Convention, which addresses the assessment of environmental impact in transboundary contexts. In accordance with the Espoo Convention, a thorough evaluation of the plant’s environmental impact must be conducted. The assessment document related to the construction should be reviewed by relevant Azerbaijani institutions, eco-activists considering the opinion of the neighboring Azerbaijani residents living in close proximity to the region.
The construction of such a factory harms people or the planet and marks a red line for civil society, given its far-reaching implications and the threat it poses to human health, the environment and true sustainability.
The potential repercussions of the metallurgical plant’s toxic chemical waste on the local ecosystem are significant. This environmental impact will definitely affect human health and safety, flora, fauna, soil, air and water structures.
The alarming possibility of this waste being discharged into the Araz river raises concerns for the wildlife inhabiting the river and the large farms relying on Araz water for irrigation.
In light of this, we call upon relevant international organizations such as the UN Environment Program, the World Health Organization, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Environment, and the UN Special Rapporteur on Harmful Substances and Human Rights to respond to this situation and put an end to Armenia’s ongoing environmental transgressions.
We also call the United States of America to acknowledge these risks and cease its support for the construction of the aforementioned metallurgical plant in Arazdayan.”
The statement was signed by:
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. Semsettin 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, TB Specialist, 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. Shamsiya Kukanbekova, Stop TB Partnership, Tajikistan
34. Navruzmoh Vazirbekova, Stop TB Partnership, Tajikistan
35. Habib Hakimov, Stop TB Partnership, Tajikistan
36. Hilol Khudonazarov, Stop TB Partnership, Tajikistan
37. Raushan Zheteyeva, OO “Казахстанская ассоциация фтизиопульмонологов”, Kazakhstan
38. Erlina Burhan, Indonesia Society of Respirologi, Indonesia
39. Eliud Emeri, Grassroots Organizations’ President in Kenya (CGoK), Kenya
40. Samuel Iro Timoro, Turkana network Trust action for Disability, Kenya
41. Kevin Murangiri Maina, Kiongozi Foundation, Kenya
42. Ali Mwayanga, Kwale Focus Empowerment CBO, Kenya
43. Peter Musyoka, Twene Mbee Networking and Development group(CBO), Kenya
44. Fred Wanyonyi, Rural Empowerment Development Organization – REDO Kenya, Kenya
45. Ebenyo Ome Godwin, Ome, Okoa Pastoralists Poverty Eradication Initiative (OPPEI), Kenya
46. Ridhiwani Sadiki, Citizen Network For Rural Development Kenya, Kenya
47. Lucy Erika, Women Peace Forum, Turkana
48. Elizabeth Lotengan, Women Peace Forum, Kenya
49. Adung Zipporah Lokere, Lopeo Peace, Kenya
50. Emmanuel Eregae, Lopeo, Kenya
51. Wycliffe Alala, Nyakach Social Justice Center, Kenya
52. Cornellius Lochuch, Todanyatu Organization, Turkana County
53. Ezekiel Odeoh, Agro Environmental Farmers Association-AGEFA, Bungoma, Kenya
54. Benson Ekeno Ebei, Turkana West Youth Empowerment (Tuwye), Kenya
55. Dannis Nataparin Lapur, Kenya Youth Organizations, Kenya
56. Paulina Akai Ejore, Kenya Youth Federation, Kenya
57. Joseph Ng’aukon Achuka, Ayok Multi Development Org(Amdo), Kenya
58. Raymond Mutama, Universal Fellowship Organization, Kenya
59. Mary Kirima Mary, Citizen progresdive association 2000, Kenya
60. Abdishakur Adan Mohamed, African Social Development Focus –ASDEF, Kenya
61. Fatuma Abdullahi Ahmed, Women Right Advocacy Initiative, Kenya
62. Faith Kiema, Kitui women in development, Kenya
63. Sylvia Nakadi, Kamarngole CBO, Kenya
64. Zula Namubiru, Paradigm Social Justice and Development Public Association, Uganda
65. Tabe Ruth Nke-Enowmbi, Food and Rural Development Fund (FORUDEF), Cameroon