Amidst a state of confusion and conflicting statements from government officials, the smog phenomenon (also known as the Black Cloud) has occurred for the sixth year challenging all the official statements. It also uncovered the complete failure of concerned authorities to coordinate amongst them to deal with this reoccurring environmental disaster which became a riddle! A riddle due to the contradicting statements of the government officials! The Minister of Environment has officially declared that the reasons beyond this phenomenon has been investigated and dealt with which will prevent for reoccurring.
He also enlisted measured that will be enacted to deal with it such as the creation a 40 km buffer zone around Cairo in which burning of agricultural waste (especially rice waste) will be forbidden. Unfortunately, the black cloud reoccurred for the sixth continuous year. And to confront this harsh fact, officials could not escape admitting its existence and dealing with it by fining peasants for burning agricultural waste. Fining peasants without providing them with alternative means of dealing with waste or transporting it reveals how the government officials are totally out of touch with the peasants conditions.
Accordingly, the HCER calls for government officials to:
1. Allow burning agricultural waste during day time as recommended by the meteorology experts.
2. Revert all fines that were issued against peasants and not to fine them until alternative measures have been provided.
3. Inform citizens of measures to be taken to minimize the adverse effects of the black smog.
Meanwhile, the HCER emphasizes:
1. Informing citizens of the complete facts of this environmental phenomenon with complete transparency in order to benefit from their effective participation in dealing with this problem.
2. Issuing a decree from Ministry of Interior to regulate the exhaust emissions from vehicles in Cairo.
3. An identification by the Ministry of State for Environmental Affairs of the responsibility of the reoccurrence of this phenomenon.
In an attempt to react to the Cairo overwhelming pollution problem and especially its smog problem (which is referred to in the media by the Black Cloud), the Habi Center for Environmental Rights (HCER) initiated a campaign in 2001 to deal with this environmental catastrophe and its drastic effects on the citizens hygiene and health.
The HCER started its campaign efforts by preparing a report summarizing the effects and the phenomena of the Cairo smog. In September 24th, 2001, the HCER held a workshop in Hesham Mubarak Law Center. The workshop was attended by several experts, parliament members, some NGO's, and public figures to discuss the fundamental reasons for the repeating phenomena of the "Black Cloud" and to eventually reach a multi-directional action plan to deal with the reasons of the phenomena.
In the year 2002, the HCER launched an open letter signed by more than hundred persons from the civil society, public figures, media, and celebrities to:
- H.E. Dr. Atef Ebeid, Prime Minister of Egypt.
- H.E. Mr. Habib Adly, Minister of Interior.
- H.E. Mr. Mustafa Abdel Kader, Minister of Local Development.
- H.E. Dr. Mamdouh Riad, State Minister for Environmental Affairs.
- Dr. Ayman Farid Abou Hadid, Executive President of the Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency.
The open letter called for applying the Minister of Interior decree concerning vehicles emissions limits. These emissions limits are also stated in the Law # 4 for the year 1994 (the Environment Law) and article 37 of its executive legislations.
The HCER also issued a statement called "Fourth Year of Smog. Zero Success!" which included questions to the people in power regarding the repetitive nature of the smog phenomena. The HCER also filed an official complaint to the General Prosecutor signed by several public figures and NGO's demanding an investigation to hold responsible persons accountable.
Furthermore, the HCER filled a court case against:
- H.E. Prime Minister of Egypt.
- H.E. Minister of Interior.
- H.E. State Minister for Environmental Affairs.
- Executive President of the Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency.
The case was arguing against the negative position of the Ministry of Interior for not applying the norms for vehicles exhausts according to the executive legislation of the Law 4 for the year 1994. Accordingly, H.E. the Minister of Interior issued a decree forbidding running vehicles that violates the norms stated in the article of the executive legislation. The application of the decree was only limited to the governorates of Giza and Kaliubia without Cairo. In response, the HCER issued a statement entitled: "One Step Ahead" in support of the decree and to encourage future steps.
In the same time, the HCER continued its campaign against the Cairo pollution problem in the year 2003. It issued a statement entitled "The Black Cloud Take Five, Who is Responsible?!" The statement included direct questions to government officials such as ministers and it was wondering whether this phenomenon will become the annual fate of Cairenes. Additionally, the HCER presented a complaint to the General Prosecutor to investigate, identify who is responsible for this continuing phenomenon, and to take the necessary legal actions. In 2004, the HCER continued its campaign by following up on the 2002 court case mentioned earlier.
