Bern Convention

Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats

The complaint was submitted by an individual acting on behalf of the residents of the Fastyv Districit Kyiv Region, concerning the integral Ukrainian part of the Emerald Network of Areas of Special Conservation Interest, located on the territory of Kyiv Region.

The complaint alleges violations of the Convention by Ukrainian authorities regarding logging activities linked to the implementation of the National Military Memorial Cemetery Project for which, the Ukrainian authorities abolished the mandatory requirement for an environmental impact assessment. Currently 20 hectares of valuable forest have been destroyed and 266 hectares of the Emerald Network of Europe are planned for further deforestation leading to detrimental consequences on protected species and habitats.

The project affects species included in Appendix I (Strictly protected flora species), in Appendix II (Strictly protected fauna species) of the Bern Convention and habitats included in Resolution No. 4 (1996) listing endangered natural habitats requiring specific conservation measures of the Bern Convention regarding the Emerald Network.

Representatives of the local community have repeatedly appealed to the representatives of the users of the areas on which the destruction of valuable species and habitats takes place namely:  Fastiv District military administration of the Kyiv Region; Kyiv Region military administration; the Ministry of the Environment Protection and Natural Resources; the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine.  However, the above-mentioned state bodies did not take any appropriate measures to stop the considered illegal actions. At present, the environmental organisations have filed three lawsuits in court addressed different authorities demanding to cancel unlawful decisions and stop the destruction of valuable species and habitats. They were rejected without any reasonable arguments and explanations according to the complainant.

  Key Timeline

• 2024 - Case registration

 Other countries possibly concerned

• N/A

 Other international organisations involved

• N/A

 Documents

Complaint form

Regular reports to the Bureau and/or Standing Committee

Please note that all reports received by a Party during one calendar year are included in one single report for that year. Some older reports are not available in digital form.

Other information / documents