Baku, December 9, AZERTAC

On December 9, a group of Azerbaijani ecologists and activists appealed to Commander of peacekeeping contingent of the Russian Federation temporarily deployed in the Karabakh economic region of the Republic of Azerbaijan Major General Andrei Volkov.

AZERTAC presents the appeal:

“Dear Andrei Aleksandrovic,

We, ecologists and activists, are seriously concerned about the deterioration of the environmental situation in the territories of the Republic of Azerbaijan, where the peacekeeping contingent of the Russian Federation is temporarily deployed.

Throughout 30 years of occupation of the territories of Azerbaijan by Armenia, environmental terrorism was committed against Azerbaijan in the Karabakh and Eastern Zangazur economic regions, and many mineral deposits were illegally exploited. Although the ecological situation in many of the deposits, which were illegally exploited and looted for many years, was brought under control following the liberation of the territories of Azerbaijan from the occupation of Armenia in 2020, the cases of illegal exploitation in the Gizilbulag gold and Damirli copper-molybdenum deposits in the territories of the Republic of Azerbaijan, where the peacekeeping contingent of the Russian Federation is temporarily deployed, unfortunately continue.

By deteriorating the ecological situation, the illegal exploitation of mineral deposits has a negative impact on the civilian population, the environment, biodiversity, underground and surface water resources, as well as the ecological environment in other areas of Azerbaijan.

As numerous NGOs, which brings together the independent ecologists of Azerbaijan, we deem it necessary to assess the illegal exploitation cases and the ecological situation in the Gizilbulag gold and Damirli copper-molybdenum deposits in the territories of the Republic of Azerbaijan, where the peacekeeping contingent of the Russian Federation is temporarily deployed. In this regard, we ask you to provide security for us to visit the mentioned areas and create the necessary conditions for us to conduct monitoring.

Signed by:

1. Eurasian Migration Initiatives Platform Public Association - Azer Allahveranov

2. Healthy development and Awareness” Public Union - Anar Khalilov

3. Head of the “Biosphere” Public Union - Gorkhmaz Ibrahimli

4. “Ekoleks" Environmental Law Center Public Union Samir Isayev

5. Towards a Healthy Life" Ecological Public Union - Sadig Hasanov

6. "Green World" Environmental Awareness Public Union - Elman Jafarli

7. “Ecologist-2010" Environmental Awareness Public Union - Salim Balayev

8. Center of Azerbaijani Youth Rights Protection Public Union - Elchin Salmanov

9. Legal Analysis and Research Public Union - Ramil Isgandarli

10. Support to the Development of Public Relations Public Union - Shalala Hasanova

11. Support for Youth Initiative and Development - Toghrul Allahverdili

12. Support for Innovative Initiatives in Media Public Union - Mushfiq Alasgarli

13. “Social Welfare for the Citizens” Public Union - Irada Rzazade

14. Organization for the Protection of Historical and Cultural Monuments in the Occupied Territories of Azerbaijan Public Union - Faig Ismayilov

15. Social Strategic Research and Analytical Research Public Union - Ilgar Huseynli

16. Scientific Research Public Union - Telman Gasimov

17. Technical and Legal Assistance to Independent Journalists Public Union - Asaf Guliyev

18. Development of Society and Civil Relations Public Union - Ahmad Abbasbayli

19. "Travelers" Research and Promotion of Natural Resources and Environment Public Association - Elsavar Jalilov

20. "ICOMOS Azerbaijan" Public Union - Rashad Aliyev

21. Baku Human Rights Club Public Association - Rasul Jafarov

22. Environmental Education and Monitoring Public Union - Gamza Yusubova

23. Reformer Youth Public Union - Farid Shahbazli.”