Turkey
Green MEPs condemn arrest of anti-nuclear activists in Ankara
The Greens in the European parliament today condemned the arrest of anti-nuclear activists from all over Turkey yesterday in Ankara. The demonstrators wanted to call on the Members of the Turkish National Assembly to say no to a nuclear deal with Russia (1). Commenting on the events, Hélène Flautre, Co-president of the Joint Parliamentary Committee, EU-Turkey and Franziska Keller, Green MEP, said:
"We condemn the arrest of the activists, including Umit Sahin, the co-spokesperson of the Turkish Green Party at a peaceful demonstration. Though they were released after being taken into custody by the police for almost 12 hours, this remains a flagrant violation against the right of freedom of assembly.
We give full support to the cause for which the activists demonstrated, namely their call upon the Turkish National Assembly to oppose a nuclear deal between Turkey and Russia for the construction of a 4800 MW nuclear power plant with 4 untested Russian VVER 1200 model reactors. The treaty is due before Parliament this week. This text has never been discussed on the public scene which is a necessary step in order to ensure a democratic process. The activists also asked the government to withdraw this nuclear treaty.
We express our full solidarity with "Yeşiller" - the Turkish Greens- , who support these demands and advocate for the empowerment of civil society in the decision making process regarding such essential decisions for the future of Turkey.
Indeed, resolving energy issues, climate change and economic problems is possible with the help of clean energy and through comprehensive ecology policies with a holistic outlook. However, the appetite for nuclear energy keeps condemning Turkey to an outdated dirty, dangerous and expensive energy policy."
Note to editors:
1) Anti-nuclear activists organised a nonviolent action in front of the Turkish Parliament yesterday in order to deter MPs from voting onTurkey's nuclear deal with Russia. Activists protested against the nuclear law with boxes full of 170,000 antinuclear petitioners' signatures and banners claiming "TURKEY DOESN'T WANT NUCLEAR" and "SAY NO TO DIRTY NUCLEAR DEAL".
