JINHA

AMED - Sur district is the oldest settlement in Diyarbakır. The Sur walls (the fortress) and the Hevsel Gardens, a green link between the city and the Tigris, were added to the UNESCO World Heritage list recently. Sur has been under martial law for 58 days. Star, a Turkish newspaper, has a close relationship with the AKP. The newspaper published details of an urban transformation project for Sur. Nevin Soyukaya, the head of Cultural Heritage and Tourism Department at the Diyarbakır Municipality, said that the urban transformation project in historic area is against international law.

The city of Diyarbakır has a 7000-year-old history. Sur is the oldest district of Diyarbakır. The Sur walls (the fortress) and the Hevsel Gardens were added to the UNESCO World Heritage list in 2015 as a result of the efforts made by the Diyarbakır Metropolitan Municipality. However, martial law under the name of "curfews" has been declared in the district six times. The most recent curfew has been imposed for 58 days. Turkish forces have attacked the district with tanks, artillery and mortars. According to reports received, many historical houses and places have been demolished in the district. Recently, some newspapers and columnists have writen about an urban transformation project in Sur, although it is against international law.

Star newspaper published an urban transformation project for Sur. The newspaper is well known for its good relationship with the AKP. Meanwhile, some columnists also wrote articles about the project.

According to the plan in the newspapers, the Ministry of Environment and Urban Planning also published the project. The houses will be demolished and new houses will be built. The Ministry of Environment and Urban Planning, Ministry of Internal Affairs and the division for state housing (TOKI) are coordinating the project. They announced the main element of the project: "less housing, more trade."

The news piece stated, "1000 historical place will be taken under protection. 8000 houses will be built based on the historic fabric [of the area]. The buildings will be no higher than four storeys."
Nevin Soyukaya, the head of the Cultural Heritage and Tourism Department in the Diyarbakır Municipalty, said, "Sur has been an archeological site for 88 years. In addition, 610 historical artifacts and architectural works are registered in the district. This means the district should be protected in the framework of domestic laws as well as international law."

Nevin criticized the project, calling it illegal.

(gc/gd)