By Dare Akogun
A coalition of 49 Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and environmental activists spanning 22 countries have come together to address the pressing issue of environmental degradation in the South Caucasus region.
In a joint statement released at the weekend these NGOs highlighted the significant environmental harm resulting from mining activities in the Republic of Armenia.
The statement underlines that these activities not only endanger local ecosystems but also contravene established international environmental regulations and standards.
The coalition’s concern stems from the adverse impacts of mining operations on air and water quality, soil contamination, and biodiversity loss in the region. They argue that such activities pose a direct threat to the health and well-being of communities living in the vicinity of mining sites.
The statement emphasizes the importance of upholding international environmental norms and standards to ensure sustainable development and protect the rights of present and future generations.
The coalition thereafter called on the government of the Republic of Armenia to take immediate action to address these environmental concerns, including implementing stricter regulations on mining activities and enforcing compliance with international environmental standards.
The group also urge the international community to support efforts aimed at promoting environmental justice in the South Caucasus region and ensuring that economic development is pursued in a manner that respects environmental sustainability and human rights.
The statement reads:
“We, the undersigned civil society organizations (CSOs), express deep concerns regarding the serious environmental damage caused by the work carried out in the mining industry of the Republic of Armenia that violates 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 the 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 made commitments to address climate change on a global scale and follow the rules and regulations to protect 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 specializing in the field of ecology and health, including specialized NGOs from neighboring countries, to allow them to inspect the facilities, evaluate and conduct monitoring, take appropriate samples, and measure.
“We share the deep concerns of civil society organizations of Armenia and Azerbaijan recently addressed to the Armenian government and the companies involved to cease the mining actions in the Amulsar gold mine, which pose 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, İndia
Patsi Stillo, Partners in Health, USA
Sergey Uchayev, RNGO “Ishonch va Hayot”, Uzbekistan
Matt Garnett, Michigan University, USA
Ahmad Hudu Abdullahi, Afrihealth Optonet Association, Nigeria
Gleb Evgenev, MADI, Russia
Konadu Jone, Altar Relief Foundation, Kenya
Erna Jašarević, 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, Indonesian Society of Respirologi, İndonesia
Carm Citro, Partners in Health, USA
Prof.Dr.Zeki Kilichaslan, “İstanbul 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
Ermin Jašarević, NGO Bridges of Friendship, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Samuel Iro Timoro, Tunetad Association, Kenya
Gabriel Ekalale, Asegis Community Network, Kenya
Nishant Chavan, Independent Public Health Consultant, India
Filiz Duyar Ağca, Türk Toraks Derneği, 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 Health Safety Association, Kenya
Shemsettin Kuzeci, Kerkuk Culture Union, Turkmanali, Irak
Ere Gabriel Erukudi, LPF NGO, Kenya
Lochuch Yatu, Todanyatu Community-based Organization, Kenya
Joseph Ngaukon Achuka, Ayok Multi-Development organization (AMDO), Kenya
Endalkachew Fekadu, VHS, Ethiopia
Prof.Dr.Ejaz Khan, Health Services Academy, Pakistan
Karani Frankline, Loyifam NGO, Kenya
Mohmad Hosain Lone, International Human Rights Commission, Switzerland
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
