Amnesty International on July 6 condemned [9] the conviction in Türkiye of environmental activist Esra Işık. Amnesty's deputy regional director for Europe, Esther Major, spoke on the broader impacts of the conviction on the fight to defend the environment:
Today's decision is a devastating blow for Esra Işık and for those engaged in the long struggle to stage off eviction and protect rural settlements and farmland from an expansion of mining activities. It is also a deeply disappointing outcome for those fighting to end the criminalization of environmental [and] human rights defenders by Turkish authorities.
The activist was convicted of "resisting a public official to prevent performance of duty" and "insulting a public official." For the former, she was sentenced to two years and one month in prison and issued a fine of 44,200 Turkish lira (approximately USD$944). For the latter charge, the court deferred the announcement of a verdict.
Işık was detained [10] for 42 days beginning March 30, following participation in demonstrations against an "urgent" land expropriation [11] decision. The decision was set to impact over 600 parcels in the Akbelen Forest area of Muğla province, paving the way for expansion of a coal mine.
Işık was released after the 6th Chamber of the country's top administrative court, the Council of State, unanimously suspended [13] the expropriation order. The land was to be turned over to YK Enerji company, which operates nearby thermal power plants. However, the court ruled that "urgent expropriation" is for exceptional circumstances, and that energy supply and economic development "do not establish the state of urgency required" under Article 27 of the Expropriation Law. [14]
Despite the criminal proceedings moving forward against Işık, the court's decision to deny expropriation is a win for the overall Akbelen resistance [15], which has been ongoing since October 2019. Lawyers for the plaintiffs in the case celebrated [13] the decision:
The injunctions issued…have once again demonstrated just how justified the struggle in Akbelen was... We salute those who resist for life. We hope this marks the beginning of an era in our country where rights are safeguarded and life is protected.
Amnesty International called for an end to the repression of peaceful protestors by Turkish authorities. "Authorities in Türkiye must stop misusing the criminal justice system to crack down on dissent and instead protect the right to protest," Major said.
Işık will have the opportunity to appeal both convictions.
From JURIST [16], July 7. Used with permission.
See our last report on the crackdown on civil opposition [17] in Turkey.
