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Turkey's Kurdish Hasankeyf becomes a
prohibited zone: Ilisu Dam project
1.3.2014 |
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Hasankeyf, which is threatened by the Ilısu Dam
project in Turkish Kurdistan, is becoming a
prohibited zone. Photo: ANF
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March 1, 2014
BATMAN, Turkey's Kurdish
region,— Hasankeyf, which is threatened by the Ilısu
Dam project in Turkish Kurdistan, is becoming a
prohibited zone. Despite a judgment of the Council
of State suspending work on the project due to the
absence of an Environmental Impact Report, barriers
have been put up around the bridge in the 12,000
year-old town to prevent visitors gaining access.
The ban on visitors going to the caves in the town
introduced after a rock fall is also still in place.
Although efforts are continuing for Hasankeyf to be
included on the UNESCO World Heritage list tourists
wishing to see the town are encountering new
obstacles. The police have put up a road block
preventing access. And finally, security guards from
the company in charge of the project are stopping
tourists who want to take photos of the old bridge,
after barriers were placed around it to protect it
from the water that will rise once the dam is built.
The fate of Hasankeyf
depends on 30 March
Recep Kavuş, an activist from the Save Hasankeyf
Initiative, said that there has been a deafening
silence about the Ilısu Dam recently, adding that
the party that wins the election of 30 March will
determine the destiny of the town. Kavuş added: "Hasankeyf
is under threat from the Ilısu Dam. Time is running
out. According to the government the dam will be
finished in 2 years. Work has been stepped up for
relocating the town. Hasankeyf is just awaiting its
fate alone and without resisting. Unfortunately,
civil society organisations are unable to raise
their voices. Everything depends on the attitude of
the party that wins the elections. The decision of
the people of Hasankeyf is important."
The construction firm
ignores the courts
Kavuş said that despite there being a stay of
execution made by the Council of State the
construction company had carried out excavations
under the ancient bridge. "Despite all this
illegality, political parties and democratic
organisations have no programme or plan. The
candidates should explain to the people what they
intend to do to save Hasankeyf. Reactions made once
Hasankeyfwww.Ekurd.net
has been submerged like Zeugma will be futile. We
must raise our voices in opposition before our
cultural legacy is wiped off the map."
Hasankeyf is a city
located along the Tigris River in Batman Province in
Turkey's Kurdish region in the southeast, densely inhabited by
Kurds. It is an ancient city, with roots going back
10,000 years. It was declared a natural conservation
area by Turkey in 1981.
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