NCDFA assesses events in Seyudlu

Baku/23.06.23/Turan: The opposition National Council of Democratic Forces of Azerbaijan (NCDFA) issued a statement condemning the suppression of protests by residents of Seyudlu village of Gedabey region, who demanded to stop environmental pollution by a nearby gold mining company.

Recall that the Gedabey region, a picturesque region in Azerbaijan, is experiencing environmental devastation, the document said.

The opposition structure accuses the authorities of "environmental terrorism," and in particular of "facilitating the dumping of cyanide waste from the obsolete and inexpensive technology used at the Gedabey gold mines," which are allegedly "controlled by the ruling family." Waste is discharged into a 10-hectare artificial lake in the village of Seyudlu without observing safety standards, the NCDFA statement further said.

The continuous discharge of highly toxic cyanide waste into the lake has seriously affected the environmental situation in Gedabey village.

"It has also negatively affected life, health and agricultural production. Local residents claim that air and water pollution has resulted in widespread cancer and other serious diseases, reduced life expectancy and destruction of fruit and vegetable crops," the statement further noted.

Aggravating the suffering of the villagers, the ruling regime plans to seize another 48 hectares of land and create a new artificial lake to store toxic cyanide waste.

"In response to the peaceful protests of Azerbaijani women, mothers and elderly people, the regime has used tear gas, pepper gas and batons against them," the NCDFA statement stressed.

The NCDFA condems attempts to describe fair protests of the population as provocations of western special services.

"The police blockade and the closure of entrances and exits to the village of Seyudlu are relapses of the Stalinist era and cause outrage," the document further states.

The NCDFA demands that the Azerbaijani authorities "stop environmental terrorism and police violence against the residents of the village of Seyudlu." The opposition structure also called for the immediate release of illegally and unreasonably detained persons during the protest action. "The existing artificial lake filled with especially dangerous cyanide waste should be cleaned and become safe for nature, environment, life and health of people.

Besides, any plans to create a second artificial lake should be abandoned, since this poses a threat to the entire region and the people," the NCDFA statement further states.

This structure calls on the authorities not to "brag" about Azerbaijan's foreign exchange reserves exceeding $60 billion, but to use these funds to fight poverty, as well as to respect the dignity of citizens. -06B-