As Armenia prepares to host COP17, environmental defenders must be protected
Just days before Armenia welcomes the world to COP17, environmental defenders in the country continue to face intimidation, retaliation and abusive litigation. Armenian authorities must ensure a safe environment for meaningful participation by civil society and affected communities, urges Human Rights House Yerevan (HRHY) and Human Rights House Foundation (HRHF).
On 10 October, Armenian authorities officially launched their operations at the Amulsar gold mine in the Vayots Dzor province sparking renewed scrutiny from environmental defenders and communities in the affected province. Serious concerns have been raised relating to the project’s environmental impact including risks of acid mine drainage, cyanide contamination of water resources, threats to biodiversity and inadequate assessments of the seismic risks.
“Everything was done to ensure that people’s voices carried no weight and that dissent was silenced as much as possible,” said Tehmine Yenokyan, a journalist and environmental defender from the affected community.
Yenokyan and other environmental defenders have been victims of lawsuits designed to silence public participation or so-called SLAPPs. There have also been reports of gender-based harassment, smear campaigns, attacks on professional reputation, and physical intimidation among other cases.
“Just days before Armenia takes centre stage in the global biodiversity discussions at COP17, defenders are being silenced when trying to speak up on serious issues affecting the environment. Armenia’s COP17 leadership must be matched by safe opportunities for defenders, journalists and civil society to question decisions with environmental consequences without fear of threats, retaliation and abusive litigation,” said Nvard Margaryan, advocacy officer for HRHY.
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Armenian authorities must immediately strengthen safeguards against SLAPPs, in line with Council of Europe recommendations, protect environmental human rights defenders and ensure meaningful public participation in environmental decision making.
“Armenia cannot demonstrate credible environmental leadership while those who speak out about environmental risks fear intimidation and legal harassment. As COP17 host, it must ensure that defenders and civil society can challenge decisions, expose risks and participate freely in shaping the policies that affect the environment,” said Margaryan.
Human Rights House Yerevan
