Nature Protection Ministry Violated Public and Press Rights

The Nature Protection Ministry has violated public and press rights on participation in decision-making on environmentally important matters. On 15 March the Nature Protection Ministry held the public hearings on Khachaghbyur-2 at Governmental building no. 3 with a special regime, where you could enter only with permits or special permits which is a violation of RA Law “On Environmental Impact Expert Assessment”, Article 3. The task of the expertise is to ensure public attraction and participation at all stages). Meanwhile, the ministry, who ensures the entry of people invited by the ministry, refused to allow the journalists from Shant TV, Ijevan TV, CivilNet TV, Lragir and “EcoLur” NGO. The attempts to get in touch with Ministry Press Secretary Hayk Hakobyan, who was the contact, were to no avail, but his mobile phone was switched off. Thus, the Nature Protection Ministry violated RA Law “On Information”, Article 4, ensuring the right of press to freedom of speech in information, clause 3 – hindering to professional practice of activities of journalists. The ministry explanations that the participation of all others was ensured via lifestream, doesn’t stand any criticism. It should be noted that lifestream doesn’t ensure any participation, but observation. Unlike observers, participants, including journalists, are entitled to ask questions, express their opinion and to work with other participants of the public hearings. They were deprived of this opportunity due to the ministry. We would to ask the Human Rights Defender to give the legal assessment of Nature Protection Minister Aram Harutyunyan’s actions and other competent ministry officials responsible for the organization of the event on 15 March and to determine to what extent they should bear administrative or other kind of responsibility in accordance with the national legislation of Armenia and the commitments Armenia undertook under international agreements.