Protection of environmental rights
In the summer of this year, High Commissioner for Human Rights in the Russian Federation Tatiana Moskalkova received reports of violations of water and land legislation in the territory of the town of Medvezhiegorsk, Republic of Karelia.
Particularly alarming was the threat of harm to life and health of people, as well as causing environmental damage as a result of the construction of a technical service station — a tire shop, as well as due to pollution (including fuel oil) of the water protection zone of the Kumsa River and extension of the land area by filling water bodies with construction debris.
Taking the circumstances into account, Tatiana Moskalkova sent an appeal to Commissioner for Human Rights in the Republic of Karelia, Alexander Sharapov.
According to the response, Alexander Sharapov confirmed violations of the legislation and sent requests to the administration of the Medvezhiegorsk urban settlement, the Prosecutor’s Office of the Medvezhiegorsk District and the deputies of the City Council.
As a result, the Federal Agency for Fishery of the
Currently, the local Prosecutor’s Office is considering the issue of the presence of elements indicative of an offence in the offenders’ actions established by Article 250, paragraph 1 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (Water Pollution).
The situation is under control of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in the Russian Federation.
