European Action Day to stop Lithuanian NPP project

flyer of the action in Berlin

• European Action Day on November 5, 2012 to do actions in front of Lithuanian embassies to remind the government to implement the "No to Visaginas NPP" referendum from October 2012 to the legislation - the new atomic power station has to be stopped!
  • action at the Lithuanian embassy in Berlin at 1.30 PM
  • action at the Lithuanian embassy in Riga (Latvia)
• sign the petition to push the Lithuanian government to not violate their own laws
• material:
  • media release in English and German
  • flyer to announce the action in Berlin

text based on the petition:
Lithuanian politicians are trying to ignore citizens’ “No” to a new nuclear power plant (NPP), which was clearly expressed in a nation-wide referendum attended by 52,5 percent of voters with 62,6 percent voting against the new NPP on 14 October, 2012.

The referendum has caused a headache to Japanese American company “Hitachi-GE” which planned to sell their 5 billion Euros worth reactor to Lithuania after their nuclear projects have been stopped in Japan following the Fukushima disaster. “Hitachi” already declared they will make additional efforts to promote their nuclear business in Lithuania as if they didn’t realize the decision of the referendum.

Lithuanian president Dalia Grybauskaite and the leaders of the major political parties talk about the further development despite the decision of the referendum. Despite the referendum was consultative (deliberative), its decision is legally binding and the Parliament is enforced to act on it by law within one month after the announcement of the results.

The new amendments to pro-nuclear laws are already prepared. We request Lithuanian politicians to accept the decision of the nation and act on it.

CALL FOR ACTION

Your solidarity needed to implement referendum result against a new NPP in Lithuania

Different groups from Lithuanian antinuclear movement call citizens of other countries to protest for democracy in Lithuania on November 5th.

On October 14, 2012 Lithuania had a referendum asking citizens whether or not they want a new nuclear power station in their country. More than half of the voters participated in the referendum and 62 percent of them said "NO". However, most leading political parties said they don't care what the nation decided. It would be unconstitutional to ignore people's decision to become a nuclear-free country.

We seek international support to pressure our politicians to implement the results of the referendum and shift energy policy towards sustainable solutions.

On the 5th of November, a protest is being organized by Zali.lt and Anti Atom Berlin in front of Lithuanian embassy in Berlin. Lithuanian antinuclear movement asks for your solidarity to organize protest actions the same day at Lithuanian embassy or consulate in your country.

We also call the civil society in Latvia and Estonia to protest against their governments' undemocratic position. The prime ministers of those two countries said they are waiting for Lithuanian government's decision regarding referendum result, instead of directly withdrawing from the project because of referendum result.

Please also sign a petition on Avaaz community petitions:

• http://www.avaaz.org/en/petition/Implement_decision_of_the_referendum_against_the_construction_of_a_new_nuclear_power_plant/?cbEmFdb

Republic of Lithuania Law on Referendum (Article 8):

• http://www3.lrs.lt/pls/inter3/dokpaieska.showdoc_e?p_id=433985&p_query=&p_tr2=2

Media coverage on the case:

• Lithuanians send nuclear plant back to drawing board. Reuters (be aware of mistake in the article - the referendum was binding)
• Lithuanians' rejection of nuclear plant deals blow to Hitachi. Kyodo News Service (be aware of mistake in the article - the referendum was binding)

More information on the issue:

• Linas Vainius: linas AT atgaja.lt
• Laura Gintalaite: laura.gintalaite AT gmail.com (please inform about your action before and after it)