"Human Rights Watch" calls for the authorities of the Russian Federation to stop construction of Kudepsta thermal power-station in Sochi

The Russian authorities must drop legal proceedings against the residents dissatisfied with construction of a big power plant in Khosta district of Sochi, international organization "Human Rights Watch" considers. It also calls for the authorities to stop construction of Kudepsta thermal power-station, secure freedom of speech and assembly pointing out that arrests and intimidation of protesters overshadow preparation for the Olympic Games in Sochi.

It should be reminded that residents of the settlement of Kudepsta, Sochi, state that construction of the thermal power-station will make the health resort zone environmentally dangerous and have an impact on favorable environment of over 20 thousand local residents. They organize night watching at the building site, try to hinder passage of building techniques, organize pickets and meetings. The confrontation between the builders and residents of Kudepsta has lasted already three months.

In its statement dated September, 10, "Human Rights Watch" reminds that three residents of Sochi who protested against construction of the thermal power-station were detained in August. Later protocols of administrative violation were drawn up concerning two of them.

"The people express quite a natural concern about the fact that construction of a mighty power plant nearby may have a negative influence on their health and quality of life. Instead of punishing the residents who peacefully express their concern, local authorities must take measures to solve significant questions of legality of this construction", Jane Buchanan, Senior research scholar of "Human Rights Watch" for Europe and Central Asia, considers.

The human rights organization also declared that the authorities should secure observance of all the mandatory procedures in construction of the thermal power-station and pay due attention to the residents' concern about possible harm to their houses, health and family life emphasizing that construction of the thermal power-station was planned in a resort settlement, the area adjoined with a district of multistory housing and located in 500 meters distance from the sea and a children's sanatorium.

"Human Rights Watch" pointed out that its research registered increased pressure on freedom of speech and civil society in Sochi as well as several cases of oppression of civil activists and independent journalists who during the last several months made public topical issues connected with the Olympics in Sochi.