EcoLur
Law enforcement body’s actions in regard with Gegharkounik region residents protesting against taking away Gayladzor riverbed, the main tributary to the Argitchi River, to Vayots Dzor Region for the purposes of constructing a small hydropower plant provoked public protest.
The statement of the Alliance of Environmental NGOs consisting of 45 NGOs particularly says: “We, members of the Alliance of Environmental NGOs, express our anxiety in regard with the law enforcement body’s actions what concerns to the problems of illegal construction and illegal water use on the Argitchi River.
We think that Gegharkounik resident were enjoying their constitutional right to expression and holding peace meetings without use of weapons and protection their right to life.
We condemn RA law enforcement body’s actions that exercises pressure and initiate prosecution towards citizens protecting their violated rights instead of bringing to responsibility people guilty of illegal activities.
We demand from RA law enforcement bodies to dismantle this illegal structure, to punish the guilty and to ensure residents’ constitutional rights.
The regional Aarhus Centers, local NGOs from different regions, youth green movement activists, human rights organizations and private individuals also join this statement by the Alliance of Environmental NGOs. The day before “Heritage” political party condemned law enforcement bodies’ actions in regard with community residents in Gegharkounik Region and demanded from the Public Prosecutor’s Office to punish investigators responsible for these actions.
August 27, 2010