Okhchuchay issue raised at 48th meeting of UN Human Rights Council

At the initiative of the Geneva-based Global Institute for Water, Environment, and Health (GIWEH), the issue of pollution of the Okhchuchay River by Armenian mining companies was discussed at the 48th session of the UN Human Rights Council.

State Committee on Work with the Diaspora told Report that Noah Curry from GIWEH made a speech.

The statement said that GIWEH wanted to draw the attention of the Human Rights Council and the international community to the environmental threats and critical situation in the Okhchuchay River, which flows through the Zangilan region of Azerbaijan and empties into the Araz River. Water pollution and waste management are becoming a severe problem in the area, and the international community should develop a mechanism to prevent and control pollution.

GIWEH noted that according to Principle 2 of the Rio Declaration, coastal states have the right and obligation to use water resources, provided that "States have the responsibility to ensure that activities within their jurisdiction or control do not cause damage to the environment of other States or of areas beyond the limits of national jurisdiction."

The organization called on the international community to assist in developing sound and fair decisions based on the "Right to Development and the Commitment to No Significant Harm Rule."