14 DAY TRIAL // Turkish authorities seem to have their own notions of free speech, as they proved on March 16th, when they actually deported two peaceful activists with the International Rivers environmental nonprofit group, who showcased a banner at the World Water Forum. The material said “No Risky Dams,” and was a direct reference to the way in which some countries sought to address their lack of water by building accumulation lakes that destroyed river habitats and displaced wildlife and humans to other areas.
The two activists were arrested, detained, and then later deported, even though they didn't break any laws. They were simply stating their opinion, in a non-violent way, at a meeting for which they had been accredited. That is to say, they had passes to the meeting, and there was no trespassing involved. They simply waited until the conference was about to begin, and then unveiled the large banner, which simply drew attention to the hazards of large water dams being built. They were immediately apprehended, as if they were dangerous criminals, and then escorted to the police headquarters.
“Yesterday, Payal Parekh and Ann-Kathrin Schneider, two staff members of International Rivers, unfurled a banner at the opening ceremony of the World Water Forum in Istanbul. The banner said, No More Risky Dams. The action was totally peaceful, and many people in the audience applauded. The police immediately detained Payal Parekh and Ann-Kathrin Schneider, and held them at an Istanbul police station all day and night. This morning, Ms. Payal was deported to the US, and Ms. Schneider, to Germany. They have been banned from re-entering Turkey for two years,” an International Rivers press release, issued yesterday, said.
“We strongly condemn the aggressive response by the Turkish police to yesterday's peaceful protest. We ask the World Water Council to stand up for freedom of speech, and to make it clear to the Turkish government that the detention and deportation of peaceful protesters is unacceptable. The World Water Council claims that the Forum is an open, democratic space,” it continued.
“This is not the case. Most civil society groups have been excluded by the high fees of this trade fair. Those who could pay the fee saw most of their proposals for panels and side events rejected. The Forum's agenda is dominated by the water industry, governments, and international financial institutions. It is all the more important that peaceful protests be allowed at the Forum,” the release added.
“Affected people and civil society groups around the world are fighting destructive dams, and are protesting against their construction. Authorities have often met their protests with serious human rights violations, including intimidation, arrests, even extra judicial killings and massacres. It is no coincidence that most large dams are today being built in countries with authoritarian governments. They include China, Burma, Iran, and unfortunately, Turkey. If freedom of expression is not suppressed, destructive dams can usually not be built,” the paper concluded.