Do the Europeans have the right to get information about the Ostrovets nuclear power plant in Belarus?

Abstract

The article discusses the current problem of the construction of a nuclear power plant in Ostrovets, Belarus and the right of the neighbouring states and their inhabitants to receive information about the planned activity. In order to answer the question about the right to receive information, the authors dwell on the significance of information in the context of national security. The article further discusses the emergence of the right to information on the international plane. The second part of the article discusses the particular legal rules embodied in international legal treaties. Firstly, the provisions of the Convention on Nuclear Safety related to the provision of information are discussed. Secondly, the Espoo Convention related to the environmental impact assessment is analyzed and the practice of the Compliance Committee of the Espoo Convention regarding Belarus is discussed. Lastly, the compliance of Belarus with the provisions of Aarhus Convention is discussed in depth.