Silenced Voices: The Battle Against Defamation Faced by Armenian Environmental Defenders

· February 28, 2024

Discover the story of Armenian environmental and human rights defenders standing against the controversial Amulsar mining project, facing defamation, intimidation, and criminalization.

In the heart of Armenia, a battle rages not over land or resources, but over the right to protect the environment and uphold human dignity. At the center of this storm is the Amulsar mining project, a venture that has sparked fierce opposition due to its far-reaching environmental, health, and socio-economic implications. Yet, those daring to stand against the tide face a daunting onslaught of defamation, intimidation, and criminalization. This is their story, a testament to the courage of Armenian environmental and human rights defenders fighting for their land, their community, and their future.

The controversy surrounding the Amulsar mine, developed by Lydian, encapsulates a classic David versus Goliath scenario. Here, environmental defenders, equipped with nothing but their voices, stand against a project backed by substantial government and corporate interest. At stake is not just the environmental integrity of Jermuk and its surrounding ecosystems, but the very essence of civic space in Armenia. The project, experts warn, threatens to contaminate local water sources, imperil biodiversity, and disrupt the socio-economic fabric of nearby communities. Despite these dire warnings, the government has pressed forward, seemingly willing to silence any dissenting voices.

The defenders, ranging from volunteers at the Armenian Environmental Front to high-profile figures like lawyer Nazeli Vardanyan and journalist Tehmine Yenokyan, have faced a slew of Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs). These legal battles, designed to intimidate and exhaust, underscore a troubling trend towards the criminalization of legitimate environmental activism.

The plight of Armenian defenders has not gone unnoticed on the international stage. Voices like Mark Fodor of the Coalition for Human Rights in Development and Ryan Schlief of the International Accountability Project have loudly condemned the attacks, framing them as a direct assault on the right to defend human rights and the environment. Their statements, echoed by a slew of international organizations, highlight the broader implications of the Amulsar project — not just for Armenia, but for global norms surrounding environmental protection and civic engagement.

The international community’s involvement has been pivotal, offering moral support and increasing pressure on Armenian authorities and international financial backers like the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) to reconsider their stance. Yet, despite these efforts, the battle is far from over. The defenders continue to face legal challenges and public smear campaigns, fighting to ensure their voices are heard and that environmental considerations are front and center in development decisions.

The ongoing saga of the Amulsar mining project is more than a local issue; it is a microcosm of the global struggle for environmental justice. The defenders’ resilience in the face of defamation and criminalization offers a beacon of hope, a reminder that the fight for a sustainable future is alive and well. Yet, it also serves as a stark warning of the lengths to which some will go to silence dissent.

As the world watches, the defenders of Amulsar stand at the crossroads of history, their actions setting the tone for future environmental activism. Their struggle is a testament to the power of collective action and the enduring spirit of those who dare to dream of a greener, more just world. With each passing day, their voices grow stronger, echoing beyond the confines of Armenia, inspiring others to stand up and speak out for what is right.