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KHRP Protest against the Ilisu Dam outside AKBANK’s London Headquarters

Protestors Outside AKBANK's London Headquarters

Earlier this afternoon, protesters gathered outside of AKBANK’s London Headquarters for KHRP’s action against the proposed Ilısu hydro-electric Dam project in south-east Turkey. The protest was one of a series of demonstrations that took place in front of the European branches of Turkish banks AKBANK and Garantibank in Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Essen and Hannover. Following yesterday’s International Day of Action for Rivers, the protests sought to highlight the banks recent decisions to pledge financial support for the dam’s construction along the Tigris River, although the project continues to severely flout international law.

Green Party MEP and KHRP’s Advisor on Environmental Rights, Jean Lambert, Bengi Yıldız a local MP for Batman, Turkey, and KHRP Board Secretary Rajesh Rai, were among several speakers to draw attention to the potentially devastating impact of the dam if current plans continue unrevised. During the demonstration however, AKBANK refused to accept a letter of protest undersigned by KHRP, The Corner House, Bengi Yıldız, and Jean Lambert, MEP, urging the bank to consider the consequences of the proposed dam and calling for them to withdraw their support.

KHRP Joint Statement Concerning Arrest of Mr Muharrem Erbey, IHD Vice President

KHRP together with the Bar Human Rights Committee of England and Wales, European Lawyers for Democracy and Human Rights, Haldane Society of Socialist Lawyers, and The Law Society of England and Wales have issued the following co-signed statement expressing grave concern over the arrest and detention of Mr Muharrem Erbey, Vice President of the Human Rights Association of Turkey (İHD), and President of the İHD’s office in Diyarbakir.

Statement:
In the very early hours of the morning on Christmas Eve 2009, lawyer Mr. Muharrem Erbey – Vice President of the Human Rights Association of Turkey (İnsan Hakları Derneği or İHD) and President of the İHD’s branch office in Diyarbakır, was detained by Anti-Terror Units of the Diyarbakır Security Directorate as part of an operation launched simultaneously in 11 provinces of Turkey, in which more than 80 people were detained. The stated reason for Mr. Erbey’s detention was his alleged membership of the Kurdish Communities Union (Koma Ciwaken Kurdistan or KCK), which is said to be a branch of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK). He was subsequently arrested the following day and is currently being held in Diyarbakır D-Type prison awaiting trial.