Română
Press statement of the Save Rosia Montana campaign:
We will continue our work to revive the community and conserve its heritage
On 8 March the ICSID Tribunal rendered its award rejecting the claims formulated by Gabriel Resources, the claimant in the case. The ruling is an international recognition of the determination of the residents who, in refusing to abandon their homes, their community and their lands have become an inspiration to an entire generation.
During the 9 year long arbitration procedure, Romanian and international civil society organizations intervened with no less than three amicus curiae or specialized interventions to defend Rosia Montana. The number of interventions mark a world first in international arbitration, showing the world that the Roșia Montană mining project never obtained a license to operate.
Right up until the announcement of the Award a great number of top-level politicians undermined Romania’s defense efforts; by instigating an undignifying blame game against those who fought for Rosia Montana and the rule of law. They also claimed that Romania would lose the arbitration case. Their statements saw Gabriel Resources’ stock price rise; making gains of $300 million since early February.
The politicians blame-game included questioning fundamental citizens rights, the supremacy of final court sentences, and even proposed the destruction of national historical heritage as well as delisting Rosia Montna from the UNESCO World Heritage list. The Save Rosia Montana campaign reminds politicians that the rights of the people of Rosia Montana and those of Romanian citizens are non-negotiable.
Roșia Montană will continue to be an emblem of activism in Romania, showing the great power of solidarity between citizens from all walks of life when united in opposition to the greed of mining corporations and political interests.
Inspired by the example of Roșia Montană’s locals, we fought for these rights for 20 years via courts, and in the streets. To exercise these rights and seize the opportunities that are now available to this emblematic place in the Apuseni Mountains, we urgently call on the Romanian Government to:
- Not to renew the mining license for Certej and Roșia Montană; to remove the two localities from the list of mining perimeters of the Romanian state.
- To draw up a General Urban Plan so locals may develop and a Management Plan for the UNESCO site to preserve the heritage in accordance with the recommendations of the World Heritage Committee, as part of the decision to include Roșia Montane on the World Heritage List and the World Heritage in Danger List.
- Take urgent action through the State Building Inspectorate and the Ministry of Culture to assess and intervene in accordance with the law in the case of heritage buildings owned by Rosia Montana Gold Corporation that are significantly deteriorating.
- Proactively facilitate and support the involvement of non-governmental organizations in the development and management of Rosia Montana’s above- and under-ground mining heritage, by providing them support via legal and financial means to become custodians and attract large numbers of visitors.
Notes:
Note on amicus curiae: During the arbitration period, Romanian NGOs submitted a total of 3 amicus curiae briefs, the first of which with the support of CIEL/USA, ClientEarth/UK and ECCHR/DE. An amicus curiae (literally “friend of the court”) is a person or organization that is not a party to a case but provides information relevant to the case. Two amicus curiae briefs were accepted, one of which was partially accepted, but the third, filed in June 2023, was rejected after Romania did not agree, despite the request made by the Court.
First Amicus Curiae (2018)
Second Amicus Curiae (2022)
Third Amicus Curiae (2023)
