UN Special Rapporteur Addresses Struggle of Balda Canyon Defenders

‘‘I would like to express my utmost dismay regarding the human rights defenders working in Balda Canyon, at least one of which was physically attacked during my visit.’’

- The UN Special Rapporteur is referring to the November 2 attack on Tazo Rukhaia, one of the activists of the "Save Balda Canyon" movement. Rukhaia, who is fighting along with fellow villagers to preserve the natural monument in its authentic form became the target of physical violence from the representatives of the ‘‘investor’’ company. Since the attack, due to strong opposition from the Balda population, works on the canyon and its surroundings have been suspended. Despite the pressure and threats from the police, the locals are not allowing the managers and employees of the "Investor" company to enter the canyon. They have pitched tents on the side of the road leading to the canyon and are swapping shifts.

‘‘In many countries of the world, those human rights defenders whose activities are aimed at protecting the environment from unsustainable and harmful business activities are at the greatest risk.

Among them, in the energy, infrastructure, and tourism sectors. This problem was clearly distinguished during my visit to Georgia.

As one of the human rights defenders said, instead of protecting the environment, they have to protect themselves. People in this line of work often receive aggressive threats. They are being discredited publicly – referred to as drug addicts and petty hooligans.

As far as I know, the root cause of all incidents is the unwillingness of the government and the private sector to hold meaningful consultations with those directly affected by large business projects. Weak and disempowered local communities may serve the interests of actors who benefit in the short term from such projects. However, people have the right to participate in the processes that affect their lives. As a signatory of the Aarhus Convention, Georgia is obliged to respect and protect this right,’’ said the UN Special Rapporteur.

Mayor Lawler calls on the Georgian government to initiate a transparent and targeted consultation process to resolve the ongoing Balda Canyon conflict and ensure the full and safe participation of all parties, including local human rights defenders.

According to her, she will continue to monitor the situation of human rights defenders in Georgia and will cooperate with government representatives before submitting the final report to the Human Rights Council in March 2025. ‘‘However, steps must be taken immediately to correct the deteriorating situation for human rights defenders,’’ says Lawler.

At the end of 2022, the authorities handed over the unique Balda Canyon to persons closely tied to Russia for a period of 40 years.

Along with the Constitution of Georgia, the Aarhus Convention directly obliges state bodies to inform people on the decision-making process related to environmental protection at the initial stages and to encourage their participation, although even the inhabitants of the villages around the canyon knew nothing. Locals learned about it in July 2023, when young people who were swimming in the river in the canyon area were kicked out.

The new owner will build a visitor center on the canyon, at least a 350-meter-long footpath and boardwalk, bridges, overlooks, and a 350-meter-long roller coaster. The contract does not limit the investor from building additional infrastructure on the transferred territory or from making any changes to the project without asking the people.