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KHRP | Kurdish Human Rights Project

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Kurdish Human Rights Project: This is the legacy website of the Kurdish Human Rights Project, containing reports and news pertaining to human rights issues in the Kurdish Regions for 20 years.

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KHRP Welcomes Collapse of European Funding for Ilisu Dam
KHRP welcomes today’s official announcement by German, Swiss and Austrian export credit insurers that they are withdrawing their key financial support for the construction of the Ilısu Dam in south-east Turkey over the failure to meet international standards.

KHRP and its partners have long campaigned against Turkey’s handling of the project, which would displace up to 78,000 people, flood the ancient city of Hasankeyf and reduce downstream water flows to Iraq and Syria. Adequate steps have not been taken to consult those who would be affected, to plan for compensation or to consider alternatives. Work on the Ilısu Dam was put on hold for 180 days starting in December 2008, after European financial backers issued a final warning on the need to address serious concerns about the project. The latest announcement came as this final window of opportunity drew to an end.

‘Once again, KHRP working in partnership with groups in Turkey, Iraq, Syria and across Europe has brought a halt to this reckless project. It is unprecedented for Export Credit Agencies to withdraw their support after having committed it ,’ said KHRP Deputy Director Rachel Bernu. ‘The complete collapse of European funding sends a clear message that this scheme is entirely unacceptable in its current design. Although Turkey has predictably stated that it plans to go ahead despite this huge setback, KHRP and its partners sincerely hope that it reconsiders and finally acknowledges that this project is fatally flawed.’