Silenced Voices: The Battle Against Defamation Faced by Armenian Environmental Defenders

Discover the story of Armenian environmental and human rights defenders standing against the controversial Amulsar mining project, facing defamation, intimidation, and criminalization.
The controversy surrounding the Amulsar mine, developed by Lydian, encapsulates a classic David versus Goliath scenario. Here, environmental defenders, equipped with nothing but their voices, stand against a project backed by substantial government and corporate interest. At stake is not just the environmental integrity of Jermuk and its surrounding ecosystems, but the very essence of civic space in Armenia. The project, experts warn, threatens to contaminate local water sources, imperil biodiversity, and disrupt the socio-economic fabric of nearby communities. Despite these dire warnings, the government has pressed forward, seemingly willing to silence any dissenting voices.
The defenders, ranging from volunteers at the Armenian Environmental Front to high-profile figures like lawyer Nazeli Vardanyan and journalist Tehmine Yenokyan, have faced a slew of Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs). These legal battles, designed to intimidate and exhaust, underscore a troubling trend towards the criminalization of legitimate environmental activism.
The plight of Armenian defenders has not gone unnoticed on the international stage. Voices like Mark Fodor of the Coalition for Human Rights in Development and Ryan Schlief of the International Accountability Project have loudly condemned the attacks, framing them as a direct assault on the right to defend human rights and the environment. Their statements, echoed by a slew of international organizations, highlight the broader implications of the Amulsar project — not just for Armenia, but for global norms surrounding environmental protection and civic engagement.
The ongoing saga of the Amulsar mining project is more than a local issue; it is a microcosm of the global struggle for environmental justice. The defenders’ resilience in the face of defamation and criminalization offers a beacon of hope, a reminder that the fight for a sustainable future is alive and well. Yet, it also serves as a stark warning of the lengths to which some will go to silence dissent.
As the world watches, the defenders of Amulsar stand at the crossroads of history, their actions setting the tone for future environmental activism. Their struggle is a testament to the power of collective action and the enduring spirit of those who dare to dream of a greener, more just world. With each passing day, their voices grow stronger, echoing beyond the confines of Armenia, inspiring others to stand up and speak out for what is right.