A roundtable discussion on the topic “Implementation of the third objective of the Aarhus Convention - ensuring public access to justice in environmental matters” was held in the meeting hall of the Investment and State Property Management Department of the Executive Body of State Authority of Sughd Province. The roundtable was organized as a result of cooperation between the Main Department of Environmental Protection of the province and the public organization “Youth Group for Environmental Protection” Aarhus Center in Khujand, with the support of the Administrative and Legal Department of the Office of the Chairman of Sughd Province. The event was attended by representatives of the provincial executive authorities, regional and city-level judicial and prosecutorial bodies, the Department of Justice, the Ecological and Tourist Police Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Tajikistan, public organizations including human rights groups, environmental protection authorities, and media representatives.
The Republic of Tajikistan joined the Aarhus Convention by Presidential Decree No. 594 of June 9, 2001, and currently, as an important tool for promoting the Convention in the country as well as for its implementation and strengthening the connection between state bodies and the population in the regions, five Aarhus Centers are operating.
The Main Department of Environmental Protection of Sughd Province closely cooperates with the public organization “Youth Group for Environmental Protection” Aarhus Center in the city of Khujand and considers the Aarhus Convention, which recognizes citizens’ rights related to the environment, an important step forward in the field of environmental protection.
In this regard, numerous activities are organized and carried out annually across the province, mainly related to the first two objectives of the Aarhus Convention access to information and public participation in decision-making.
The roundtable was held with the participation of representatives of law enforcement agencies, and along with their speeches, presentations, and discussions, the proposals of participants for further expanding activities on the topic were heard.
