The town of Szentgotthard in west Hungary has filed a complaint with the United Nations, arguing that Austria's decision to grant permission to a controversial incinerator project conflicts with basic European rights, Mayor Tibor Viniczay told MTI on Friday.
Austria has discriminated against Szentgotthard by denying the town an opportunity to lodge an appeal against its decision. This is why the town has decided to approach UN's Compliance Committee of the Aarhus Convention in connection with the Heiligenkreuz project, the mayor said.
Viniczay added that the Committee's decision could prevent Austria from approving the incinerator, which is seen as an environmental and health hazard for Hungarian towns just across the border.
The Aarhus Convention was signed in 1998 to ensure an opportunity for all affected parties to participate in procedures concerning projects of a significant environmental impact.
According to the Aarhus Convention secretariat, the communication from the municipality of Szentgotthard has been received and considered preliminarily admissible by the Compliance Committee. By 29 March 2010, Austria must comment on the allegations and reply to questions raised by the Committee.
The Aarhus Convention was signed in 1998 to ensure an opportunity for all affected parties to participate in procedures concerning projects of a significant environmental impact.
[Source MTI / caboodle.hu and UNECE]
