Government Ends Plans to Build Pulp Mill Following Protest

Peaceful Assembly

In mid-June, over 1,000 people created a human chain in a sign of protest against a proposed new cellulose plant, in the southern village of Tabivere, near Tartu. Demonstrators used slogans including "no to factories, yes to nature". One protester said: 

''There's so much about it we've yet to find out – how many employees will be working here, how much pollution will there be, why is it just nine kilometres from the Emajõgi river etc."

Such demonstrations are rare in Estonia, where people are still hesitant about taking to the streets. Viewed by some as a positive development, Kai Klandorf, Executive Director of Hea Kodanik (an Estonian civil society network) says that, in her opinion, this protest might have been premature, as assessments of the impact of the plant are not available yet. 

In response to the protests, the Government of Estonia decided to scrap plans for the pulp mill, citing the need to take into consideration the opinion of the local community.

Expression

Some in Estonia, including the Estonian Newspaper Association, have raised concerns about the more restrictive language adopted by Estonia in its proposed implementation of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Commentators say that the draft law being considered in Estonia goes further than required by the European Union directive. The implementation bill requires that for a journalist to use information concerning an individual they need "predominant public interest" whereas the European legislation requires "public interest" or "substantial public interest". According to the Association, "predominant public interest" is considered a stricter standard and is also ambiguous, making it harder for journalists to prove, and thus limiting freedom of the press.

Reform MP Hanno Pevkur, who initiated the reform, stressed that existing data protection legislation in Estonia already uses the concept "predominant public interest". He also stated: "The aim of the Personal Data Protection Act is to protect personal information, not journalists," Pevkur said. "Giving the press such a mandate isn't justified", adding that the personal information of "ordinary people" should have greater protection.

According to Kai Klandorf, the changes provided by the GDPR are very marginal compared to previous legislation. The bill is still under consideration by the Estonian parliament, having been rejected at its third reading. The bill will now undergo further amendments before being considered again by parliament.