Artvin Governorship Extends Demonstration Ban

Click to read the article in Turkish

The one-month demonstration ban imposed in Artvin ahead of the last hearing in the trial of mining activities in Cerattepe has been extended for one more month.

The first ban was introduced ahead of the final hearing in the trial held before Rize Administrative Court requesting the stay of execution of the positive Environmental Impact Assessment (ÇED) report to undertake mining activities in Cerattepe.  

Struggle of 20 years in Cerattepe

Cerattepe is one of the most important 41 sites in Turkey, all of Artvin’s drinking water come from Cerattepe. There is Hatina National Park next to it, and Kafkasör Tourism Conservation and Development area under it. The area hosts 2,000 plant forms, 124 endemic forms, hundreds of animal forms.

First drilling works were launched in the area in 1987, people reacted against opening of the first gallery, and Green Artvin Association was found in 1995.

For 20 years the people had been fighting against the gold, copper, zinc and silver mining activities planned to be carried out in Cerattepe, Kafkasör plateau and Genya mountain.

Ministry of Environment and Urbanization expressed a positive opinion to ÇED’s second report in 2013.

Rize Administrative Court overruled ÇED’s positive report in January 2015. Despite the annulment decision of the court, the firm has obtained a positive ÇED report once again. Also a lawsuit against the last report has been brought into action with the signature of 751 persons. The people have been keeping guard on the area since January 21, 2015.

On February 17, 2016 and the following days, the security forces tried to get on the field and attacked on the people in resistance. Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu has met a committee from Cerattepe and has announced that the mining activities had been halted till the judicial process had been completed.

On April 21, 2016, 48 residents of Artvin were put on trial on charges of opposing to the law on holding meetings and demonstrations as well as resisting police.

On September 18, 2016, Artvin Governorship introduced a demonstration ban ahead of the final hearing in the trial held before Rize Administrative Court requesting the stay of execution of the positive ÇED report to undertake mining activities in Cerattepe.  

On September 19, 2016 the attorneys submitted an application for recusation  in the trial. (YY/DG)