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Baku/27.06.23/Turan: More than 100 civil society activists made a statement in connection with the events around the gold mining enterprise in the village of Seyudlu of the Gedabey region.
The authors of the statement note that the protest action of local residents on 20 June was connected with the harmful environmental impact of waste flow from the enterprise to the artificial lake and plans to build another such artificial reservoir.
The activists drew attention to the local residents' statement that the existing artificial lake had a negative impact on human health and the environment. Besides, its construction and plans for another such reservoir deprive people of pasture.
Civil society representatives regretted that the public authorities had failed to meet with the residents in a timely manner and listen to their concerns.
Instead, a punitive police operation using special means - rubber bullets, truncheons, tear gas - was carried out against the locals.
More than 10 people were injured, five were arrested administratively and another was fined 1500 manats.
The activists condemned the use of disproportionate force against the villagers.
The signatories of the statement recalled that this was not the first case of police violence against residents protesting against environmental problems and deprivation of access to natural resources.
For example, the statement further said that in March 2023, a protest by residents of Nabatkend and Orta Mugan villages in Saatly region over water scarcity was dispersed by police using rubber bullets and several residents were injured and administratively arrested.
"This further indicates that there are systematic obstacles to public participation initiatives in Azerbaijan," the statement further stresses.
The statement's authors emphasise that the right of citizens to express their legitimate objections regarding environmental problems and local needs is included in the Constitution and international conventions, to which Azerbaijan is a party.
It concludes with an appeal to civil society activists and other civil society organisations to keep the issue on their agendas.
It also calls on the authorities to investigate the protesters' complaints and take appropriate action.
Furthermore, the statement notes the need to effectively investigate the actions of police officers who used excessive force against protesters, and to hold them accountable.
The statement was signed by over 100 people - NGO leaders and members, journalists, lawyers, jurists, community activists and student representatives. -21В06-
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