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OMBUDSMAN CALLS FOR ENSURING PUBLICITY OVER LAKE SEVAN LEGISLATION REFORMS
tert.am
13.07.12
Armenian Ombudsman Karen Andreasyan has called for ensuring public
participation in the discussions over a legal proposal for releasing
an extra quantity of water from Lake Sevan.
In a statement issued in this connection, Andreasyan expresses
concerns that no public hearings have been organized so far to enable
representatives of NGOs and other interested parties to voice their
opinions on the amendments proposed. The ombudsman complains that
the environmentalists concerns over the lake's ecosystems were not
taken into consideration while elaborating the proposal.
He notes in the meantime that the parliament members, who debated the
bill, stressed the importance of ensuring the basin's irrigation not
to deprive the villagers of income.
The ombudsman says that ensuring public participation in decision
making processes concerning the environment is a requirement under
the 1988 Aarhus Convention.
"We call upon all the competent government bodies to carry out the
decision-making with strict observance of the law. [It is necessary],
as a legal requirement, to promote public participation in these
processes based upon the principles of publicity, accessibility and
transparency; to develop a culture of effective cooperation with
the civil society and take urgent measures to rule out decisions and
activities blocking public access to any information concerning the
environment," reads the ombudsman's statement.
On June 15, the Armenian cabinet approved a proposal for releasing
320 cubic meters of water from Lake Sevan to protect rural communities
from the expected shortage of water. The previous legislation allowed
using no more than 170 cubic meters of water from the lake.
tert.am
13.07.12
Armenian Ombudsman Karen Andreasyan has called for ensuring public
participation in the discussions over a legal proposal for releasing
an extra quantity of water from Lake Sevan.
In a statement issued in this connection, Andreasyan expresses
concerns that no public hearings have been organized so far to enable
representatives of NGOs and other interested parties to voice their
opinions on the amendments proposed. The ombudsman complains that
the environmentalists concerns over the lake's ecosystems were not
taken into consideration while elaborating the proposal.
He notes in the meantime that the parliament members, who debated the
bill, stressed the importance of ensuring the basin's irrigation not
to deprive the villagers of income.
The ombudsman says that ensuring public participation in decision
making processes concerning the environment is a requirement under
the 1988 Aarhus Convention.
"We call upon all the competent government bodies to carry out the
decision-making with strict observance of the law. [It is necessary],
as a legal requirement, to promote public participation in these
processes based upon the principles of publicity, accessibility and
transparency; to develop a culture of effective cooperation with
the civil society and take urgent measures to rule out decisions and
activities blocking public access to any information concerning the
environment," reads the ombudsman's statement.
On June 15, the Armenian cabinet approved a proposal for releasing
320 cubic meters of water from Lake Sevan to protect rural communities
from the expected shortage of water. The previous legislation allowed
using no more than 170 cubic meters of water from the lake.