Statement Summarizing Results of the Conference “Aarhus in Armenia: Evaluation by the Public”

The Republic of Armenia has signed the UNECE Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-Making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters (Aarhus Convention) in June 1998 and ratified it in May 2001. The Convention entered into force in October 2001.

Towards the observance of 10th anniversary of entering into force of the Convention and the 4th Meeting of Parties in Chisinau on June 29-July 1, 2011, the interested non-governmental organizations issue a statement to articulate the assessment of the public of the fulfillment of commitments of the Republic of Armenia under the mentioned Convention.

Evaluating the role and importance of the Aarhus Convention in promotion of democratic processes in the Republic of Armenia;  recognizing the initial commitment of the Republic of Armenia through joining the  Convention to adopt and  implement the principles of the Convention; acknowledging the specifics of the Aarhus Convention within the context of other environmental conventions and its implementation obstacles for a country that makes its first steps towards democracy; we, the undersigned representatives of non-governmental organizations still find that Government of the Republic of Armenia failed to accomplish the requirements of the Convention. It
 - did not ensure the necessary legal and procedural framework for implementation of the Convention’s principles;
-  did not ensure the engagement of relevant state institutions, including those responsible for fields of justice and natural resource management, in process of implementation of the Convention;
-  did not take some necessary steps to ensure the adequate implementation of the Convention's provisions on access to information, public participation in decision-making and access to justice;
-  did not take any action to fulfill recommendations set forth in decision III/6b of 3rd Meeting of Parties of the Aarhus Convention on June 11-13, 2008 regarding Armenia's obligations under the Convention.

We express a concern  that since ratification of the Aarhus Convention up to present
 
-  it is not possible to obtain comprehensive and publicly accessible information concerning the exploitation of natural resources;
-  decisions having a disastrous impact on the environment such as expansion of mining, destruction of forests, disruption of water ecosystems and others are being adopted without public participation;
-  judicial system does not allow any non-governmental organization to challenge environmental decisions adopted without public participation and/or related to the environment.   
 
We record that
 
-  some measures that promote implementation of the Aarhus Convention, such as establishment of administrative courts or adoption of the Law on Freedom of Information, have taken place within Armenia’s other international commitments;
-  major part of measures for implementation of the Aarhus Convention undertaken in the Republic of Armenia have been implemented by non-governmental organizations and/or with their initiative.
 
We evaluate

 -the work of the Government of the Republic of Armenia and particularly, of the focal point institution of the Aarhus Convention-the Ministry of Nature Protection as not satisfactory. 

We demand that

-  the government take immediate steps to fix the situation, also engaging into the process the public concerned with implementation of the Aarhus Convention.
 
We call

-the respective international organizations to pursue implementation of Armenia's international obligations.
 
Signatures:

Levon Nersisyan, “Armenian Fund for Protection of Human Rights after A.D.Sakharov” NGO
Gevorg Petrosyan, “Biosophia” NGO
Arman Vermishyan, “Burg” environmenta/l youth NGO
Ruzanna Ghazaryan, “Dalma Sona” foundation
Silva Vardanyan, 'Zartonk-89' NGO
Arthur Ghazaryan, “Ensuring Ecological Security and Democracy” NGO
Hrayr Savzyan, “EcoDar” NGO
Greta Gabrielyan, “Ecological Academia” NGO
Inga Zarafyan, “EcoLur” NGO
Silva Adamyan, “Center of Bird Lovers” NGO
Sona Ayvazyan, “Transparency International Anticorruption Center” NGO
Mane Hakobyan, “People are the Owners of the Country” Union”” NGO
Levon Barseghyan, “Journalists Club ”Asparez”” NGO
Nadezhda Hakobyan, “Arena for Education” NGO
Elena Manvelyan, “Armenian Women for Health and Healthy Environment” NGO
Avetik Ishkhanyan, “Helsinki Committee of Armenia” NGO
Armen Dovlatyan, Armenian Ecological Charity Fund
Zhasmina Telyan, “Armenian Women” Support to Democracy”” NGO
Nazeli Vardanyan, “Armenian Forests” NGO
Gohar Oganezova, “Armenian Botanical Society” NGO
Artur Sakunts, “Helsinki Citizens Assembly Office- Vanadzor” NGO
Edik Baghdasaryan, “Investigative Journalists” NGO
Arpine Galfayan, “Institute for Human Rights and Democracy” NGO
Anahit Margaryan, “We Plus” NGO
Hasmik Aslanyan, “Shogher” Union  NGO
Sedrak Baghdasaryan, “Victims of State Needs” NGO
Ashot Mirzoyan, “Consumers Support Center” NGO