The “Achilles heel” of Syunik Marz are the Environmental Issues, namely from mining industry to thermal power plants and hydro power plants.

During the Anti-Corruption Event “Corruption Risks in Environmental Sphere”, which took place on 4 July in Kapan City the issues of this sphere were raised.

The “Multi-Faceted Anti-Corruption Promotion” Project is implemented by the Armenian Young Lawyers Association and the “Freedom of Information Center” NGO, by the financing of the EU and the OSCE Yerevan Office.

“Multi-Faceted Anti-Corruption Promotion” Project Manager Karen Zadoyan, the President of the Armenian Young Lawyers Association opened the event and spoke about the corruption risks that exists in the sphere. He referred to the activities of the Anti-Corruption Coalition as well. Mr. Zadoyan said that the Coalition did not join the Government created Anti-Corruption Council. “However this does not mean that the Anti-Corruption Coalition shall not cooperate with the Government. We shall cooperate referring the issues aimed at the introduction of the institute against illicit enrichment, establishment of the anti-corruption body and other important issues,’ said Mr. Zadoyan and added, “Our organization as well as the Anti-Corruption Coalition shall always be committed to in-depth partnership cooperation with the state bodies, including cooperation aimed to reducing corruption risks in the environmental sphere as well.”

Mr. Marat Atovmyan, Local Expert of the “Multi-Faceted Anti-Corruption Promotion” Project introduced the current corruption risks in the environmental sphere. First, he stressed that the mines are not only damaging the people of the region but the population of the whole country as well.

“I consider unacceptable the approach that environmental protection should be victimized for the sake of the state’s economic development. We should benefit from the international experience, develop the economy but at the same time without harm to the environment,” Mr. Atovmyan said and added the we should chose the option of “golden middle”.

Mr. Carl Ulbricht, the International Expert of the “Multi-Faceted Anti-Corruption Promotion” Project, spoke about the anti-corruption surveillance of the public in the environmental sphere, and the main tasks. He said that even the eradication of corruption risks in the sphere, environmental issues will not be neutralized, because they also depend on people’s education and legal consciousness.

Gevorg Tosunyan, the journalist of Iravaban.net website spoke about data investigation in the environmental sphere.

Discussions were rather active. Representatives of CSOs as well as the employees of mining industry companies, state bodies and advocates participated in the seminar.

“It seems that the state is pushed to the second place,” Garik Mirzoyan, Director of “Hayantar” SNCO said. “It is not said clearly how much shall be allocated for compensation of the losses caused to the environment,” said the specialist and recommended to show a serious approach to the corruption risks that exist in the forestry sector.”

Armine Hakobyan, Executive Director of Small Farmer’s Association of Kapan spoke about the dependence of the Non-governmental organizations and mass media from the mining industry representatives. “How can the NGOs and media struggle against corruption in the same organizations if they are financed by those companies,” Ms Hakobyan said.

Health, or repair of kindergarten?

The issues of the citizens’ health were actively discussed at the seminar as well. A number of NGOs raised the problem that in Syunik mars, the mining companies poison the nature (environment), and instead demonstrate that they are restoring/innovating schools and kindergartens.

“What do you think, which is important health or reconstruction of the kindergarten?” Mr. Zadoyan asked.

Ms Gayane Tadevosyan, Head of PR Department of “Dundee Precious Metals” CJSC clarified that in addition to reconstruction of the kindergartens, the company invests considerable funds for innovation of its own wastewater reservoir, “We try to reduce the environmental risks, which may occur,” she said.

Ms Hasmik Mkrtumyan, Deputy Head of Environmental Protection department of “Zangezur Copper and Molybdenum Plant” CJSC said that the environmental and economic developments must be developed together, “The main problem is issued from the education. We hear only charges; I would like to ask all of you, did any of us think about how the nature impacts on us? And has any of us undertaken steps to neutralize this negative impact?” she said.

Today a dialogue was developed between the representatives of a number of NGOs and mining companies.

As a result the participants suggested including the environmental sphere as a target in the Anti-Corruption Strategy, and also to organize different discussions in this format between the NGOs and Companies.

Ms Ani Asatryan, the Regional Coordinator and Expert of the “Multi-Faceted Anti-Corruption Promotion” Project who facilitated the seminar stressed the importance of fighting corruption in the field of environment.

Gevorg Tosunyan

Iravaban.net