102,863 of 125,000 signatures

To Poland’s Minister of Environment, Mr. Henryk Kowalczyk, and the Director General of Poland’s State Forests, Mr. Andrzej Konieczny

Petition

Forest defenders are heroes, not criminals! The ECJ ruled the logging of the ancient Białowieża Forest was illegal. We demand justice for those who opposed the logging and still face legal charges. We call on you to stop prosecuting their bravery and immediately drop all charges against the Forest activists.

Why is this important?

Europe’s last primeval forest, the Białowieża Forest in Poland, was being destroyed by state-sanctioned logging. [1] But Europe’s highest court, the ECJ, just ruled this logging illegal. Poland will have to stop the destruction – or face huge fines. [2]

While the forest can breathe a sigh of relief, the ones that gave most to defend it are still in danger. The Forest defenders worked tirelessly to stop the heavy harvesting machines with their bodies through peaceful protests. For their acts of peaceful civil disobedience, they faced harassment, fines, and physical violence. [3]

And they still face prosecution. [4] Some could even be jailed for up to a year. Court dates are approaching fast, and legal costs are piling up. But this new ECJ ruling is a ray of hope. If the logging was illegal, then the people who tried to stop it are not criminals: they are heroes.

Poland’s Minister of Environment has the power to make sure the charges against the Forest defenders are dropped. He's already agreed to abide by the EU opinion on logging, so now is our moment to appeal to him to make sure the charges are dropped! [5]

Why all this effort to save a forest? Białowieza is thousands of years old and Europe’s last remaining piece of unspoilt nature. It’s home to the largest population of Europe’s last wild bison, as well as lynx and wolves. Protected under national and European laws, and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, it is priceless.

During the six months of protest, the local forest authorities and the Polish police brought close to 300 legal cases against the activists. The Forest defenders are still facing civil, misdemeanor, and even criminal charges. Most of them face hefty fines, while others could potentially see jail time.

But all these court cases could go away – with the political will of the Ministry of Environment, the local State Forest authorities could be easily instructed to withdraw their absurd charges.

Image credit: Malgorzata Klemens

[1] https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/may/23/worst-nightmare-europes-last-primeval-forest-brink-collapse-logging

[2] https://www.politico.eu/article/ecj-rules-that-poland-breached-eu-nature-laws-in-ancient-forest/

[3] http://save-bialowieza.net/activists-found-innocent-by-the-court-in-hajnowka

[4] http://www.dw.com/en/polish-police-break-up-protest-against-bialowieza-forest-logging/a-41322966

[5] https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/02/20/poland-broke-eu-law-logging-ancient-forest/

In partnership with Obóz dla Puszczy - the Camp of the protectors of the Forest

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102,863

of 125,000 signatures

Recent comments

valentine

I am part of climbers for climate Netherlands, we occupy trees to stop their cutting down, I will support anyone doing the same!!

nathalie

This is unacceptable

Søren

Because saving and restoring nature(animals and plants) is the most important thing ever. Exploring and enjoying nature is one the best thing in life. More nature(wild)

Elina

Don't you see these people have been defending something that's priceless? You should not cut down old-growth forests, not when there are almost none left.

ThankGod

Because its a home to many species that need to be protected, protecting would go alone way in stabilising out climate

andreas

We need to preserve our forests!

alana

Forests are our lungs

Raoul

The destruction of a primeval forest is an irrecoverable mistake

Danio

There are not more places like Białowieża in whole Europe.

Gerald

Protection of nature

Jeanne

Noone should be punished for protecting the forest, illegally being logged. I care partly because my father's family was from Poland.

Selda

I believe that the forest is the most beautiful thing on this earth. They are worthy to fight for.

Ruth-Johanne

Defending forest comes from a knowledge that forest is THE regulator of Earths climate. When we cut forest, we cut the prospects of Earth being inhabitable. Cutting forest is a slow suicidal act for humankind. And especially untouched forest is a super climatic organ that can regulate at a level which young forest can't. The forest activists are fighting for the survival for not just the forest and its biodiversity, but on a larger scale also humankind. We should thank them for putting their bodies at risk for a cause bigger than themselves. Unfortunately our societies have grown to favor ego-centric logic and are therefore punishing these activists which in essens are just showing eco-centric spirit.

Anna

It is primeval forest and should be protected no matter what

Jack

These forests and ancient ecosystems are just too precious to destroy. Forests like these are the lungs of the Earth and are absolutely necessary for the survival of our planet.

Josephine

Forests are ecosystems we must cherish, especially primera ones. We must review our position towards nature, this is not ours to take.

Derek

Liviu Pop stood up against these arrogant, profit frenzied, capitalists for the benefit of us all and paid with his own life. Now his wife has no husband and their children have no father. We demand justice.

Joze

If the government doesn't take a decisive action against illegal logging in Białowieża Forest and logging mafia, we can soon expect events such as the murder of the forest ranger Liviu Pop in the Maramures in north Romania.

tjeerd

i want to bay forest to protect is dis posible

Paul-Wilh.

Please, don't touch the Białowieża Forest in Poland! This is the last natural forest

Joe

My ancestors came from this area, and were murdered by fascists during the Shoah. I see the destruction of Białowieża as being the destruction of biodiversity and also of historical memory.

Erwin

these forests are our biocapacity on earth

Carol

It’s a symbol of all that is wrong with western society. Quick profit vs. lasting and irreplaceable damage.

Ivan

La vita e importante.....e la vita

Diego

I can't bear the idea that in a few years time I will not be able to visit this beautiful natural sanctuary. I've never been there but I can imagine how important it is for its biodiversity!

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In partnership with Obóz dla Puszczy - the Camp of the protectors of the Forest

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