The state of human rights in the Ministry of Natural Protection. Ombudsman’s speech 2012

The serial part of the Ombudsman’s 2012 report is about the Ministry of Natural Protection.

According to it the following shortcoming were registered in the activities of the Ministry.

• There are numbers of unresolved issues related to hazardous materials and waste generation as well as violations of transportation.

• Numerous complaints were received related to different environmental spheres: logging, pollution of the atmospheric air, poisoning of the fish and water in the rivers, hunting and illegal seizure of timber, hazardous materials and waste and toxic emissions.

• The program of the actions directed at the implementation of the Armenia’s commitment to Aarhus Convention was not done; in particular the regulation of the legal relations wasn’t implemented.

• The licensing issue of the “Teghut” CJSC for the operation of the molybdenum mine has not been solved yet, while numerous calls from the environmentalists were received.

• It gives rise to concern that the Ministry has not been proactive in its approach to overseeing the areas under its control in order to identify and sanction the cases of hunting in the reserves.

• The organization of proper public debates related to legal acts remains unsolved, as a result of which the public participation bears a formal nature.

Registered positive developments

• Steps are being taken to provide public with information about concerning issues

• Special criteria for the appointment of inspectors are being implemented in accordance with the law on “Civil Service”.

• Steps are being taken to comply the provisions of the legislation with Aarhus Convention.