*[Enwl-eng] [RSEU NEWS] Environmental defenders under threat

[ENWL]

Environmental defenders under threat
On World Environmental Day (June 5), the Russian Social-Ecological Union (RSEU) reporting of ongoing attacks on environmental defenders. Over the 5 months of 2020, 63 new episodes were recorded in relation to more than 170 eco-activists, groups and NGOs in 20 regions of Russia at 32 environmental struggles. RSEU has been monitoring persecution of environmentalists since 2012 and demands solving environmental problems and protecting eco-activists.  
>From January to May 2020 at least 10 environmental activists were subjected to attacks, property damage and threats (7 persons for January-May 2019). It is known that 4 new criminal cases were opened (5 cases in January-May 2019). In relation to 98 activists administrative offense reports were drawn up (110 in January-May 2019), including 41 stay-home regime violation reports.

“The attacks on environmental defenders are systemic: unsolved environmental problems lead to conflicts, and conflicts are accompanied by the persecution of eco-activists. The global environmental crisis leads to an increase of human rights violations and attacks on environmentalists. Russia is no exception. Only a systemic change in the relationship between man and nature will solve these problems”, - says Vitaly Servetnik, RSEU co-chair.

RSEU demands to stop pressure on environmental defenders, to investigate all cases of attacks to and harassment of eco-activists. A necessary measure to protect them is the proper investigation of environmental violations, the resistance of which involves cases of prosecution. To prevent conflicts, free access to information and broad public participation on environmentally significant issues should be ensured.



Read the full article: http://rusecounion.ru/eng/defenders-envday2020




Additional Information:

On the situation in January-May 2019 (in Russian)

Annual reports on situation for environmentalists in Russia (in English) 

List of eco-NGOs recognized as foreign agents from 2014 to 2020 (in English)


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For more information, please contact RSEU Co-Chair Vitaly Servetnik:

vitservetnik at gmail.com, telegram: vitservetnik, tel. 8 905 294 1063.

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RSEU Climate Secretariat
www.rusecounion.ru
Tel.mob: +7 921 9117986, +7 9217444255
e-mail:  rseu.climate at gmail.com


From: RSEU Climate Secretariat 
Sent: Friday, June 05, 2020 1:45 PM
Subject: [RSEU NEWS] Environmental defenders under threat

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