On June 29, the civil society organizations of a number of countries issued a statement to oppose a potential environmental catastrophe with detrimental effects on both human beings and the planet over construction of the metallurgical plant in Arazdayan. The number of countries supporting the statement, initially signed by 32 nongovernmental organizations, reached 70. The statement in particular says: 'As Civil Society organizations, we, the undersigned, are issuing a collective statement expressing our opposition and deep concern to the construction of an Armenian-American sizable metallurgical plant. The establishment of this large-scale metallurgical plant blatantly disregards internationally recognized standards and principles, especially those articulated in the UN Economic Commission for Europe Convention on Environmental Impact Assessment in a Transboundary Context (Espoo Convention). The construction of such a facility on the border without mutual agreement from the Azerbaijani side constitutes a blatant violation of the 1991 Espoo Convention, which addresses the assessment of environmental impact in transboundary contexts. In accordance with the Espoo Convention, a thorough evaluation of the plant's environmental impact must be conducted. The assessment document related to the construction should be reviewed by relevant Azerbaijani institutions, eco-activists considering the opinion of the neighboring Azerbaijani residents living in close proximity to the region. The construction of such a factory harms people or the planet and marks a red line for civil society, given its far-reaching implications and the threat it poses to human health, the environment and true sustainability. The potential repercussions of the metallurgical plant's toxic chemical waste on the local ecosystem are significant. This environmental impact will definitely affect human health and safety, flora, fauna, soil, air and water structures. The alarming possibility of this waste being discharged into the Araz river raises concerns for the wildlife inhabiting the river and the large farms relying on Araz water for irrigation. In light of this, we call upon relevant international organizations such as the UN Environment Program, the World Health Organization, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Environment, and the UN Special Rapporteur on Harmful Substances and Human Rights to respond to this situation and put an end to Armenia's ongoing environmental transgressions. We also call the United States of America to acknowledge these risks and cease its support for the construction of the aforementioned metallurgical plant in Arazdayan.' The statement was signed by: 1. Mariam Danesh, Washington and Li Univeristy, USA 2. Samir Shah, Civil Society Adviser on Tuberculosis, United Kingdom 3. Ezio Tavora dos Santos Filho 'REDE-TB' organization, Brasil 4. Cos Maria Di Bello, GEP Foundation, Argentina 5. Umarov Rustamcon, environmental activist, Student at Hiroshima University, Japan 6. Svetlana Doltu, AFI NGO, the Republic of Moldova 7. Olya Klimenko, 'TBPeopleUkraine' organization, Ukraine 8. Inna Gavrilova, Public Health Alliance, Ukraine 9. Sergey Uchayev, 'ISHONCH VA HAYOT' NGO, Uzbekistan 10. Nikoloz Mirzashvili, TBpeople network, Sakartvelo, Georgia 11. Sok Chamreun Choub, Khmer HIV/AIDS NGO Alliance (KHANA), Cambodia 12. Steven Anguva Shikoli, Tuberculosis Survivors Network, Kenya 13. Colins Major Kinyuru, Pamoja Survivor group, Kenya 14. Josef Kilonzo, BISC, Kenya 15. Elchin Mukhtarli, Azerbaijan Anti-tuberculosis NGO Coalition 16. Peter Ngola, 'Vot G?ncl?rin Inkisafi Layih?l?ri' icma-?sasli t?skilati, Kenya 17. Charles Gvist, 'Carepal' Foundation, Ghana 18. Parvana Valiyeva, "Health Care" Public Union, Azerbaijan 19. Chingiz Ramazanli, TBpeople Azerbaijan, '"For a Tuberculosis-Free Future" Public Union, Azerbaijan 20. Prof.Dr.Zeki Kilicaslan, 'Istanbul Fight against Tuberculosis Association", Trkiye 21. Dr. Semsettin Kuzeci, president, Kerkuk Culture Association, Trkiye 22. Abass A Kamara, volunteer, Sierra-Leone Golden Crescent Society, Sierra-Leone 23. Mohmad Hussein Lone, Human Rights activist, Official volunteer of the International Human Rights Commission based in Switzerland, Jammu Kashmir, India 24. Cordelia Adamu, African Development Network for Environment and Health, Nigeria 25. Germain Marius Hepi, Diplomat, Switzerland/Camerun President of the Humanitarian Organization OSER, Kamerun 26. Norman Cagiso Matiting, Tuberculosis Survivors Network, Botsvana 27. Nishant Chavan, Independent Public Health Consultant, India 28. Filiz Duyar Agca, Thorax Association, Turkish Tuberculosis Working Group, Trkiye 29. Hashim Abdul Halim, TB Specialist, India 30. Kinz Eman, 'Stop TB Partnership Pakistan', Pakistan 31. Zishan Ahmed, Punjab Provincial Tuberculosis Control Program, Pakistan 32. Mohmad Hussain, Institute of Allergy and Clinical Immunology of Bangladesh (IACIB), Bangladesh 33. Shamsiya Kukanbekova, Stop TB Partnership, Tajikistan 34. Navruzmoh Vazirbekova, Stop TB Partnership, Tajikistan 35. Habib Hakimov, Stop TB Partnership, Tajikistan 36. Hilol Khudonazarov, Stop TB Partnership, Tajikistan 37. Raushan Zheteyeva, OO "????????????? ?????????? ???????????????????", Kazakhstan 38. Erlina Burhan, Indonesia Society of Respirologi, Indonesia 39. Eliud Emeri, Grassroots Organizations' President in Kenya (CGoK), Kenya 40. Samuel Iro Timoro, Turkana network Trust action for Disability, Kenya 41. Kevin Murangiri Maina, Kiongozi Foundation, Kenya 42. Ali Mwayanga, Kwale Focus Empowerment CBO, Kenya 43. Peter Musyoka, Twene Mbee Networking and Development group(CBO), Kenya 44. Fred Wanyonyi, Rural Empowerment Development Organization - REDO Kenya, Kenya 45. Ebenyo Ome Godwin, Ome, Okoa Pastoralists Poverty Eradication Initiative (OPPEI), Kenya 46. Ridhiwani Sadiki, Citizen Network For Rural Development Kenya, Kenya 47. Lucy Erika, Women Peace Forum, Turkana 48. Elizabeth Lotengan, Women Peace Forum, Kenya 49. Adung Zipporah Lokere, Lopeo Peace, Kenya 50. Emmanuel Eregae, Lopeo, Kenya 51. Wycliffe Alala, Nyakach Social Justice Center, Kenya 52. Cornellius Lochuch, Todanyatu Organization, Turkana County 53. Ezekiel Odeoh, Agro Environmental Farmers Association-AGEFA, Bungoma, Kenya 54. Benson Ekeno Ebei, Turkana West Youth Empowerment (Tuwye), Kenya 55. Dannis Nataparin Lapur, Kenya Youth Organizations, Kenya 56. Paulina Akai Ejore, Kenya Youth Federation, Kenya 57. Joseph Ng'aukon Achuka, Ayok Multi Development Org(Amdo), Kenya 58. Raymond Mutama, Universal Fellowship Organization, Kenya 59. Mary Kirima Mary, Citizen progresdive association 2000, Kenya 60. Abdishakur Adan Mohamed, African Social Development Focus -ASDEF, Kenya 61. Fatuma Abdullahi Ahmed, Women Right Advocacy Initiative, Kenya 62. Faith Kiema, Kitui women in development, Kenya 63. Sylvia Nakadi, Kamarngole CBO, Kenya 64. Zula Namubiru, Paradigm Social Justice and Development Public Association, Uganda 65. Tabe Ruth Nke-Enowmbi, Food and Rural Development Fund (FORUDEF), Cameroon
Source: Azerbaijan State News Agency