WAN, NORTHERN KURDISTAN
Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) Van Youth Council members organized a bicycle tour to protest the Hydroelectric Power Plant (HEPP) project under construction in the Zilan region of the Erciş district.
The spokesperson of the Youth Assembly, Sinem Çetin, read a press statement in front of the HDP Erciş district branch. After the announcement, the youth pedaled bicycles, chanting “You rise up too”, “Take action against capitalism”, and “They are destroying our ecology”.
First physical genocide, later ecological genocide
Reminding that the work initiated by the AKP government to construct a HEPP in Zilan Creek in 2014 was stopped with the decision of the Council of State upon the objection of the villagers and various non-governmental organizations, Sinem said, “Although the construction of the 6th Department of the Council of State was stopped in 2015, the enemies of nature relaunched the campaign.”
Highlighting that the fascist government is sacrificing the livelihoods of the people of the region for the sake of rent, Sinem emphasised, “we are faced with a government that is trying to create all kinds of destruction in the geography of Kurdistan and put an end to the culture, history and belief of the Kurds.”
Sinem continued, “the Zilan Creek, where more than 15 thousand Kurds were killed in the past, is still facing an ecological massacre today. The owner of the anti-nature mindset that pillaged the Kaz mountains of Hasankeyf to raise capital for its client contractors is killing the Zilan Creek, whose history is still full of pain.”
Historical Heritage
Emphasizing that the HDP Youth Assembly will be against those who try to destroy Kaz Mountains, the Munzur springs, Cudi, Lice and Bagok, Çetin said:
“Despite the exploitation by the AKP-MHP government, as the HDP Van Youth Assembly, to stop the government’s anti-ecology policies, we are here to act together. It should be known that the youth will be the green spaces and social peace of the future. The youth will protect the historical heritage of Zilan Creek, Hasankeyf and Munzur Springs. “
