A discussion on the draft mining development strategy is being held today in the hall of Shnogh Community municipality in Lori Region. The organizer of the discussion, Grant Thornton Consulting CJSC, which developed the draft strategy, does not allow journalists to cover the event, film it, or go live without any proper substantiation.
Thus, the right of the public to be informed, to participate in the decision-making process, as well as the right to make the voice of the population of the affected community heard is restricted.
The representatives of "Grant Thornton Consulting" CJSC claim that the decision to hold the event behind closed doors belongs to RA Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure, but they did not show that decision.
Members of the Civil Society Faction of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative of Armenia Victoria Burnazyan, EcoLur Informational NGO, Oleg Dulgaryan, Center for Community Consolidation and Support NGO, Nazeli Vardanyan, Forests of Armenia NGO, condemn this way of working, because the process of developing a strategy for the development of the mining sector must be transparent and accountable, which can be facilitated by journalists through their activities.
March 04, 2022 at 15:48