EcoLur
The level of governmental statements on increase in permitted water outlets from Lake Sevan goes up. On 12 July, the State Committee on Water Industry made a statement where it called the arguments of NGOs opposing to outlet boost “misinformation” (see…). Reminder: the statement was made in reply to the discussion of the issue on water outlets from Lake Sevan held in the office of Human Rights Defender on 11 July. NGOs recognized the substantiations of the State Committee on the need of additional 150 million square meters of water as unconvincing. They stated the parliament rejected public in holding public hearings, thus violating provisions of Aarhus convention and public rights.
On 12 July Ombudsman Karen Andreasyan made a statement where he acknowledged the violation of a number of laws and Aarhus convention.
On 14 July Deputy PM, Minister of Territorial Administration Armen Gevorgyan in his interview with news.am outlined that the governmental package on additional water outlets from Lake Sevan submitted to the National Assembly of Armenia, was discussed in compliance with the acting legislation – laws regulating protection of Lake Sevan, RA Law “On Legal Acts.” He also noted that Ministry of Territorial Administration always expressed its willingness to openly cooperate with public and their participation in the discussions at the office of Human Rights Defender proved that.
July 16, 2012 at 15:26