Andrew Andrusevich , a representative of the "European Eco-Forum", filed a complaint against the failure of the Aarhus Convention by Belarus in the construction of hydropower stations and Neman Ostrovets plant, told the Committee that the Ministry of Environment of Belarus does not understand some of its recommendations. Thus, in the Action Plan developed by Ministry of Environment to implement the recommendations of the Committee, said the legal liability of public bodies for failing to provide environmental information in accordance with the Administrative Code. At the same time, the Compliance Committee of the Aarhus Convention recommended the Belarusian government to determine the responsibility for the information and take due account of public opinion. "It's two different things - the definition of who and how is responsible for the execution of certain actions and legal responsibility, punishment," - commented Andrusevich.
The representative of an observer organization, the Public Association "Eco House" Tatiana Novikova , noted that despite the fact that the Ministry of Natural Resources is taking steps to fulfill the recommendations of the Compliance Committee of the Aarhus Convention, the situation in Belarus in general is bad. Government organizations continue to violate the provisions of the Aarhus Convention, does not provide citizens with environmental information and does not take into account their views in decision making.
This is particularly evident in the construction of nuclear power plants Ostrovets. Once the Committee has decided against this plant and gave recommendations, Belarus continued to violate the Convention.
Thus, Lukashenka's decree approving Ostrvovetskoy site for construction of nuclear power plants, loan agreement, a contractual agreement between the contractor and the customer Ostrovets NPP were made without public participation. The texts of these agreements have not been published and discussed, as well as the text of the decree.
The Compliance Committee of the Aarhus Convention, Belarus will ask for clarification in writing, as the meeting was not its official representatives. "I think that underestimates the importance of Belarus dialogue with the Committee, as did not participate in its 37th meeting," - said Andrei Andrusevich.
The findings of the violation by Belarus of the Aarhus Convention in the construction of nuclear power plants and Neman Ostrovets HPS have been made by the Compliance Committee of the Aarhus Convention on 29 June last year. At the same time Belarus provided recommendations to address the problems associated with public access to environmental information and participation in environmental decision-making.
Convention, the UN Economic Commission for Europe "On Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters," came into force in Belarus, November 20, 2001.
Convention, the UN Economic Commission for Europe "On Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters," came into force in Belarus, November 20, 2001.
