Kazakhstan fails to implement Aarhus Convention

Almaty. November 22. Kazakhstan Today - Kazakhstan does not carry Aarhus Convention regulations on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-making. The representatives of the ecological society Green Rescue said at the press conference in Almaty.

"As for environmental problems which we face in Almaty, according to our legislation and according to the convention, the public should take part in such questions as discussion of the general plan of the city, building of constructions on the territory of the national parks, etc.," he said.

S. Kuratov emphasized that the citizens should participate in decision-making processes. "When we address Kazakhstan courts, they answer that decisions carry recommendatory character. In this connection since 2005 Aarhus committee recognized non-observance of Aarhus Convention by Kazakhstan three times", he stressed.

The UNECE (the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe) Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters, usually known as the Aarhus Convention, was signed on June 25, 1998 in the Danish city of Aarhus. It entered into force on 30 October 2001. As of November 2005, it has been signed by 40 (primarily European) countries and ratified by 37. It has also been ratified by the European Union, which has begun applying Aarhus-type principles in its legislation, notably the Water Framework Directive.

The Aarhus Convention grants the public rights regarding access to information and public participation and access to justice. It focuses on interactions between the public and public authorities.

The Republic of Kazakhstan joined the Aarhus Convention in 2001.

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