The ECtHR has studied garbage near Moscow

The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has awarded €40,000 to activists who oppose the Aleksinsky Quarry landfill, 4 km from Klin near Moscow.

The Aleksinsky Quarry polygon was opened in 1993, now it is operated by Kombinat LLC. Initially, garbage from the Klinsky district was accepted there, but since 2013, waste from Moscow has been brought to the landfill (see Kommersant dated April 7, 2018). In the summer of 2016, residents of Klin and nearby villages began to smell an unpleasant smell – and since then, residents have periodically taken to rallies demanding that the landfill be closed. Ten residents of Klin appealed to the ECtHR: they indicated that the operation of the landfill violated the right to respect for their private and family life. In addition, they complained about the “lack of effective domestic remedies” (see Kommersant of October 29, 2019). Residents also complained about the restriction of freedom of peaceful assembly – after all, they were fined for organizing rallies or participating in them.

The court held that there had been a violation of Art. 8 of the Convention on Human Rights (right to respect for private life and home). According to the ECHR, for some time the landfill worked with violations, which “would not have been possible without some omissions on the part of the authorities.” In addition, the court held that there had been a violation of Art. 11 conventions (freedom of assembly).

Anna Vasilyeva