relationships within turkey
Partiya Karkerên Kurdistanê
The government and the PKK, a Kurdish nationalist organization listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, NATO and the European Union, have been at war since 1984. Even though the conflict has eased in the 21st century, tensions persist in the eastern half of Southeastern Anatolia, including the eastern portion of the study area.
For this reason security measures may be required to ensure the safety of the staff working on the construction sites and of the residents affected by the Project. The report suggests that measures be also taken in areas where the impacted populations live. Unfortunately in February 2015, a convoy of supplies for the dam was attacked, injuring three workers and a worker was killed at his house presumably by extremist PKK militants.
The government and the PKK, a Kurdish nationalist organization listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, NATO and the European Union, have been at war since 1984. Even though the conflict has eased in the 21st century, tensions persist in the eastern half of Southeastern Anatolia, including the eastern portion of the study area.
For this reason security measures may be required to ensure the safety of the staff working on the construction sites and of the residents affected by the Project. The report suggests that measures be also taken in areas where the impacted populations live. Unfortunately in February 2015, a convoy of supplies for the dam was attacked, injuring three workers and a worker was killed at his house presumably by extremist PKK militants.
The EIA report states that the residents of the region, most of whom are Kurdish, hope for an end to the violence which would lead to the development of the region. Again according to report, the dam could help ease the situation between Kurdish representatives and the Turkish Authorities by developing the region.
However many locals argue that the government is supporting the dam mainly because it will weaken the PKK. Indeed the construction would greatly affect the organization by breaking up their routes and eradicating any remaining strongholds through relocation. Furthermore many argue that the dam gives the Turkish government excessive power over Syria and Iraq by controlling the river flow.
NGOs and local protesters
The construction of the Ilisu dam displeases many parties for environmental, political, cultural or social reasons. Organizations such as "Keep Hasankeyf Alive" campaign to save the archaeological remains at risk. Many NGO's are supporting local people in their fight to stop the dam from destroying their land and livelihood. The Ilisu Dam Campaign, based in Britain, unites the Kurdish Human Rights Project, Friends of Earth and Corner house who together are tempting to stop the dam, citing human rights violations, major irreversible environmental impacts and major social issues. Local populations have also independently protested against the lack of public consultation.
However many locals argue that the government is supporting the dam mainly because it will weaken the PKK. Indeed the construction would greatly affect the organization by breaking up their routes and eradicating any remaining strongholds through relocation. Furthermore many argue that the dam gives the Turkish government excessive power over Syria and Iraq by controlling the river flow.
NGOs and local protesters
The construction of the Ilisu dam displeases many parties for environmental, political, cultural or social reasons. Organizations such as "Keep Hasankeyf Alive" campaign to save the archaeological remains at risk. Many NGO's are supporting local people in their fight to stop the dam from destroying their land and livelihood. The Ilisu Dam Campaign, based in Britain, unites the Kurdish Human Rights Project, Friends of Earth and Corner house who together are tempting to stop the dam, citing human rights violations, major irreversible environmental impacts and major social issues. Local populations have also independently protested against the lack of public consultation.
relationships with the neighbours
The Tigris River runs through Turkey but also Syria and Iraq further downstream. Each country depends heavily on the river for irrigation and industries and so any alteration to the flow of the river will affect them greatly. According to an interview with the Minister of Water Resources of Iraq, his country was not involved in any of the project meetings. Furthermore the river flow was decided by committee hired by export credit agencies. These experts came to an agreement with Turkey, without Iraq’s consent, that the flow of water should be 60m3 per second during dam construction. The Minister argues that such decisions should be made by representatives of the countries involved, not bankers or “technical men”. However the chair of the committee ensures that without their involvement Turkey could completely shut the water flow off for months. Needless to say that relations between the countries are tense.