20,000 backing Khimki activists calling on Vinci to end involvement in Moscow – St. Petersburg motorway
April 28, 2011
More than 20,000 people have signed a petition to demand Vinci’s withdrawal from the construction of a highway section through the Khimki Forest in Russia.
Campaign against Vinci’s participation in Moscow St. Petersburg motorway project launched
March 30, 2011
While much of the debate around the Moscow St. Petersburg motorway project has centred around the behaviour of the Russian authorities, the Movement to Defend Khimki Forest is now targeting French construction giant Vinci and asking the company not to sign an additional agreement with the Russian authorities, expected in mid-April.
Khimki defender Evgenia Chirikova is a woman of courage, literally now
March 11, 2011
Evgenia Chirikova, the leading figure of the Movement to Defend Khimki Forest has yesterday received the US Woman of Courage Award to honour her relentless efforts to save the Khimki Forest near Moscow from being transformed into a motorway.
Shadow report on discrimination in Serbia doesn’t cast the best light on EIB and EBRD
February 18, 2011
Roma’s discrimination in Serbia is to be discussed by the UN. Serbian member group CEKOR is contributing with experience from the Gazela resettlement process.
EBRD can’t stay away from Russian motorways – Khimki destruction goes ahead while women and children are being arrested
February 11, 2011
Yesterday, police in Khimki arrested an activist of the Movement for the Defence of Khimki Forest. The activist Alla Chernyshova and her daughters of 3 and 6 had to spend more than five hours in custody where she was questioned as the main suspect for a false bomb threat.
Tree adoptions lead to more arrests in Khimki Forest
January 17, 2011
Despite the Russian government’s controversial decision to go ahead with the Moscow St. Petersburg motorway’s original routing through Khimki Forest, environmental activists have not given up their struggle to save the last remaining natural area in a densely populated region.
Khimki Forest activist arrested for holding banner during picket action
September 13, 2010
Russian activist Yaroslav Nikitenko was arrested by police on Saturday during a legally permitted picket action in the town of Khimki near Moscow. The action was part of the campaign to change the route of the planned Moscow-St Petersburg motorway so that it avoids the Khimki Forest.
EIB complaints office confirms shortcomings on Belgrade resettlement
August 4, 2010
After more than three months delay, the Complaints Office of the European Investment Bank recently released its concluding investigations (pdf) into the banks involvement in the resettlement of 175 predominately Roma families from underneath the Gazela bridge in Belgrade.
Rusty reasoning: groups challenge EIB to justify the latest ArcelorMittal public millions
March 11, 2010
Although the world’s largest steel company, ArcelorMittal continues to receive support by international public finance. Neither does its chequered social and environmental record seem to change the public bank’s proclivity for this specific borrower.
New ‘homes’ in Serbian temporary settlements are still far from acceptable
October 20, 2009
On 31 August 2009 the inhabitants of the Gazela informal settlement in Belgrade were resettled to temporary accommodation at four sites outside of Belgrade. After a visit conducted by partner group CEKOR in September which found a number of important issues needing to be addressed, Bankwatch carried out a follow-up fact-finding mission on 6-8 October 2009.
