Human Chain Protest Against Expert Board in Artvin

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People of Artvin have created a human chain on the spot where the expert board from Rize Administrative Court had been sent to regarding the mining activities planned to be put in action in Cerattepe.   

The vehicles of the expert board have driven through the human chain created by the people of Artvin. The people have confronted the board with silent protest wearing scarfs reading “No to Mining in Artvin”

The examination on Cerattepe mine site within the scope of the Environmental Impact Assessment (ÇED) annulment action led by 61 attorneys in which also 751 natural and legal persons were involved under the leadership of Green Artvin Foundation has been completed.  

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.

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 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.

Cengiz Holding is also a partner a many contradictory projects such as Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant, three airports and Ilısu Dam. (NV/DG)

Photographs: Yusuf Okur - Artvin/Anadolu News Agency (AA)