Opposition MP accuses Armenian government of putting public health at risk

The Armenian National Assembly on Tuesday debated a government-drafted package of amendments to the law on waste and the Code on Administrative Offenses, drawing sharp criticism from the opposition.

Deputy Environment Minister Ara Mkrtchyan presented the bill, which aims to clarify the powers of the government, the Ministries of Environment and Health and to establish a legal basis for adopting key regulations in the field of waste management. The draft law also envisages new rules for licensing hazardous waste operations, improving waste reporting and strengthening monitoring at disposal sites.

Opposition Hayastan faction secretary Artsvik Minasyan accused the government of putting public health at risk for political gain.

“You are subjecting public health to risk for populist gains. Instead of helping businesses set up safety systems, you are announcing that certain requirements will be lifted so they won’t face fines,” Minasyan argued. “Ultimately, it's about hazardous waste.”

He warns that since the bill allows up to a year for new regulations to take effect, citizens will face the negative consequences in the meantime.