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30 arrested at die-in during environmental gathering Ecotopia in Turkey

EYFA | 23.08.2008 16:35 | Climate Camp 2008

Sinop (Turkey), 23rd of August. This afternoon, Turkish police arrested 30 foreigners from at least 18 countries and 3 Turkish citizens who took part in a peaceful "die-in" action in front of the Sinop province Governor`s residence in Sinop.





On request of the German Embassy the Sinop Police Headquarters claimed that nobody was taken under custody.

The protests are directed against the plans to build a Nuclear Technology Centre in the Sinop region. Participants are members of environmentalist movements worldwide. They want to draw attention to the fact that nuclear energy is dangerous, polluting and expensive. Instead of investing in nuclear technology, Turkey should use its great potential for solar and wind power, as well as increasing energy efficiency.

"The Turkish state seems to be very afraid of their citizens learning how dangerous nuclear power is. That is why authorities do not tolerate any protest, especially when foreigners are involved. We are seriously concerned about the denial of freedom of speech in Turkey.", says Niklas Hartmann from Germany.

The action took place while the camp is under threat of eviction.
See  http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2008/08/407393.html

EYFA
- Homepage: http://eyfa.org

Additions

last night

24.08.2008 09:47

22:54h.
The 32 arrested people are sitting at the police station still. There is no official statement of arrest or custody. When embassies asked for information on arrestants police actually denied to have taken people into custody(...).
The group has been split into smaller groups and taken to hospital for the compulsory check on torture and is now back at the station. They have been refused access to their lawyer, a certified translator and to contact their embassy and even access to food and water.
Rumours have it that our lawyer was told by the police that people didn't want to see him.

People have been asked to sign papers in Turkish without translation. Before the promised release they will have to see a prosecutor, even though they are not formally arrested.

23.20h: first group of 6 people got released, probably because they signed the papers. We'll deal with it now.

To be continued...

01:25h.
Everybody followed by undercover police all the time. Several people picked from the street that had nothing to do with the action! Finally, nobody has seen the prosecuter, but everybody out now. Police wanted to deport us from town back to camp site before everybody was released. Situation was really threatening. People now staying with trade unions. More tomorrow.

EYFA


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Repression of Ecotopia camp

24.08.2008 16:27

Urgent call for solidarity, please forward wýdely


Shocking repression in Turkey!


Greens, environmentalists, peace and nature supporters, and NGO's from all
over the World gathered on the 9th of August to join the 20th
international Ecotopia gathering being held at Sarikum nature reserve in
Sinop, Turkey. Ecotopia gatherings promote sustainable ways of living,
harmony with nature, and discuss social justice issues. This year,
Ecotopia has supported local anti-nuclear groups, raised consciousness of
nuclear issues and promoted alternative energy sources. However, for the
last week, local police have been exerting supression on the camp by
making regular visits, and following and intimidating participants outside
of the camp.

On Wednesday 20th August, 6 internationals and 5 Turkish people were placed
under custody while staging a peaceful vigil outside the Atomic Energy
Agency (TAEK) in Sinop. Police have also shown supression towards locals
of Gerze town who approached the Ecotopia camp to request solidarity
against the Thermal Coal Plant planned for construction in their town.
Today, the 22nd August, approximately 10 armed officers, ordered by the
governor of Sinop, raided the Ecotopia camp to threaten forceful eviction
if the sýte was not emptied within 3 hours. In summary, 2 days before our
legal permit for he site ends, it has been forcefully demanded that we
shut down activities immediately.

In Turkey, where democracy is regressing, the authorities do not tolerate
the advocacy of their people to lýve a safe, sustainable and healthy life.
In addition, authorities in the Turkish state and Sinop (where it it
planned to build one nuclear technology centre and 3 Thermal Coal plants)
are dýsturbed by the increasing local attention on these projects, and are
reluctant to allow people's awareness and knowledge to grow independently.
As participants representing more than 30 countries, we are asking for
your solidarity, and request you to send the following text to the Turkish
authorities using the contact information given below.


For a nuclear-free world and a more democratic Turkey, let's block the
phones and faxes of the Turkish authorities!



Ecotopia 2008 participants

EYFA (European Youth For Action)

SINYAD (Sinop Nükleersiz Kent ve Yaþam Derneði)


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