MRI calls on Azerbaijani authorities to publish data on impact of Gabala RS on environment

In Azerbaijan, the Media Rights Institute (MRI) is preparing a complaint to the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) in the context of the failure of the authorities to disclose documents about the impact of the Gabala-based Radar Station (RS) "Daryal" on the environment, said Khalid Agaliev, an employee of the MRI. The monitoring sessions conducted five years ago showed that the radiation background around the RS was normal; however, experts believe that the studies should be continued.

Let us remind you that earlier Mais Gyulyaliev, the leader of the Green Party of Azerbaijan, had repeatedly stated that the Gabala RS is harmful for the environment of Azerbaijan, since all the anti-missile systems emit radiation and pose threats to the environment. In his opinion, the Gabala RS has no value for Azerbaijan; and its activities should be suspended.

"The respective Azerbaijani state bodies refuse to disclose the data on the impact of the Gabala RS on the environment, while local courts, when considering lawsuits against these bodies, made decisions in their favour," Khalid Agaliev told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

According to Namazly, in this case we see clear violations of Articles 6 (the right to fair trial) and 10 (the freedom of expression) of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR); and there are grounds to appeal to the ECtHR.

The correspondent failed to get any comments at the Ministry of Public Health of Azerbaijan, where they said that provision of information on this issue is the competence of "higher instances," and at the press service of the Azerbaijani government.

The Russian Embassy said that the questions relating to the activities of the Gabala RS "should be better addressed to the Azerbaijani party."

The independent ecologist Telman Zeinalov believes that in recent years "the Gabala RS has not reduced its radiation emission." Moreover, as the expert asserts, the extension of the lease agreement on the Gabala RS, which expires in 2012, will mean its reconstruction and still stronger activities.

According to Adil Garibov, Director of the Institute of Radiation Problems of the Azerbaijani National Academy of Sciences, a broad scientific expedition should be organized with participation of Azerbaijani and Russian scientists to study the impact of the Gabala RS on humans and the environment.

According to his story, the station creates social tension in the society. In his opinion, should the joint expedition reveal any impact of the RS on dwelling settlements, the residents thereof should receive due compensations.

The scientist said that the Gabala RS emits electromagnetic waves, which are very weak in comparison with the radiation. "The power of the waves is 10,000 times smaller than that of the ionizing radiation, and they do not cover dwelling settlements, which may be affected by reflected waves only. Therefore, it is necessary to study their influence," said Garibov as quoted by the IA "Trend".