Bêrîtan Elyakut/JINHA

AMED- Diyarbakır Metropolitan Municipality Co-mayor Gültan Kışanak stated that people's property, historic monuments and churches have been seized under the name of "Urgent expropriation" and these are against minority rights and Lausanne Agreement. Gültan emphasized that this decision must be canceled immediately.

The AKP government first demolished the Sur district of Diyarbakır by declaring curfew and then it is trying to seize the town with "urgent expropriation" which has been declared in the Sur district of Diyarbakır by cabinet decision. Diyarbakır Metropolitan Municipality Co-mayor Gültan Kışanak evaluated the decision. Gültan emphasized the decision, which was taken with article 27 of the Expropriation Law, isn't a normal expropriation, it is seizures. Gültan said the state took the decision to seize the people's properties in the Sur.

Gültan said, "The state's statement such as "They won't seize the people's properties," is a political statement. The decision, which has been taken, is important. The state is trying to cover the situation by using political statements. The expropriation decision must be canceled immediately. The people don't want expropriation. For this reason, the decision must be changed."

Gültan pointed out that the expropriation decision takes the entire Sur district in. 55,000 people and shopkeepers will be affected by the decision. Gültan said, "A state which says, "I take the post office, City Museum, mosques, churches and the municipality building," Such thing cannot be happened." Gültan pointed out the churches and the place of worship of different faiths in Sur. She said that the decision is against minority rights and Lausanne Agreement. "The minorities had many difficulties about their properties for years. They managed to save their places of worship from the foundations by fighting. Seizing and expropriating the properties of minorities are unlawfulness."

Gültan also emphasized that UNESCO is a UN organization which is working at the ambassadorial level and it address itself to the state. Gültan said that they have sent reports to the Ministry of Culture but the ministry hasn't given the reports to UNESCO. Gültan reminded the UNESCO delegation statement, which was made when the delegation came to Diyarbakır. "We aren't concerned with only the buildings and material assets; we are also interested in the spiritual experiences." Gültan said, "The life in Sur has been damaged, so UNESCO process will be forced due to damaged life."

(gc/gd)