Mes: septiembre 2019

Author: Att. Yaman Gürsel LL.M.

The most hazardous risk of our days is admittedly the deforestation, which is widely disseminating all over the world. It is noteworthy to stress from the very beginning that a massacre of nature has never become such a crucial matter before. In so far, the scope of the damage given to the environment daily is reflecting the statistics in a way that a new-born child has no alternative but to be desperate about the future. Precisely by giving a few recent examples, the biggest rainforest in the world has been facing a devastating fire during the summer of 2019. Amazons, in other words, the lungs of our globe, are burning, and apart from the ecological deconstruction, a significant massacre of the biodiversity is happening. Only in a month, 2254-kilometer squares of the green area have been destroyed. To demonstrate in a better way how the fire in Amazons, land at the size of 5 football pitches is turning to the ashes every minute passing. The reason for this ongoing disaster is simple and helps us understand what is wrong with the world: to open farming areas and to turn the forest out an area where the cattle-raising could be done. Except sarcastically congratulating the authorities and persons behind this mentality for beating the record of biggest-and-largest fire held in Amazons, far from the continent of South America, it is essential to draw the attention to a domestic environmental crisis: deforestation of the Ida Mountains.

Historically speaking, in the Antic Greek mythology, Ida Mountains are known as the mountains where Paris fled with Helene from Menelaus and Agamemnon, and the Gods watched the war of Troy from the top of the Ida mountains. In 1993, the region of Ida, northwestern Turkey, has been declared as a national park; nevertheless, it did not change the fact that that region was highly attractive for the foreign mining companies due to the high amount of gold and silver reserves. Starting from the early 2000s, the General Directorate of Mineral Research and Exploration (MTA) and the Ministry of Energy have conducted researches and examinations. Ultimately, they have identified the mineral deposits in the region and in order to convert this mineral richness into money, they amended the Law on Mines in 2002. In doing so, granting licenses to foreign mining companies become legitimate and easier for the Turkish government[1].

After 2007, more than 40 licenses have been granted for mining operations[2]. The Biga peninsula has one of the unique natures in Turkey, and the biodiversity that has been possessed in there is remarkable. Nonetheless, this crucial information in the age of the climate crises was not deemed enough to reveal an awareness on the side of the ruling party—Justice and Development Party not to give any concession or license to the mining companies.

Alamos, a Canada-based mining company, has received the license to conduct mining exploration activities in the mountains of Ida and their exploration licenses have turned into operation licenses regarding the deforestation of 2000 decare[3]. Before the explanation of the scope and formalities of the licenses, it is worthwhile to underpin general features of the area that the Canadian mining company has already cut down in collaboration with the Turkish government which permitted them to perform a massacre. It is crystal clear that the region named Kirazlı in the Ida mountains is housing to the one of the richest biodiversity in Turkey with ten reptile species, 117 insect species, 41 bird species, 18 mammal species, and 283 different plant species[4]. In return, Alamos, especially in the aftermath of the local elections held on March 31st, 2019, gained a pace in cutting down the pristine forests located in the area. Nevertheless, the forests in Turkey are not the only victim of the Alamos’ activities. This intermediate gold-producer company also has operations in North America: The Young-Davidson and Island Gold mines in northern Ontario, Canada, and the Mulatos and El Chanate mines in Sonora State, Mexico[5].

As can be imagined, in such sensitive days about the climate and forests, given the adverse impacts of the climate crisis in every part of the world, the very first fire of the resistance against this Canadian mining company has started under the locals’ action. Later this fire has sparkled through the involvement of a variety of NGOs and politicians. In particular, once the tragic fact has revealed as Alamos gold has cut down approximately 200.000 trees, which is almost four times bigger than allowed in their licenses, Mayor of Çanakkale Metropolitan Municipality—Mr. Ülgür Gökhan explicitly stated that they would not stop the resistance until this massacre ends. He also underlined that they wrote a letter to the President of Canada—Mr. Justin Trudeau regarding these vicious attacks to the lungs of Turkey and added that another letter was on the way to the President of the Republic of Turkey—Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

According to the Ministry of the Agriculture and Forestry’s numbers, they have cut down only 13.000 trees, whereas as per the Environmental Impact Assessment Report issued by the Ministry of Environment and Urban Planning 45.000 have been destroyed. However, thanks to the advanced technology, satellite images unveil the reality as 195.00 trees more or less have been cut down. Not only the amount of the trees that have been slaughtered is in the discussion, but also the material that will be used in search of gold—cyanide has been trying to be hidden from the media. Precisely, the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources has tried to falsify the prospective usage of the cyanide by Alamos in extracting gold[6]. The CEO of the Canadian company—Mr. John McCluskey made it crystal clear that if there will not be the use of cyanide, then there will be no gold! So, this statement has been perceived as an alien threat to the public as if the gold that they will be getting out of the soil will be given as a gift to the local society whose life is at stake.

Speaking of the utilization of cyanide in searching for gold in the Kaz Mountains, after all the operations which will be held by the Canadian mining company, the soil will be filled with this perilous poison, and it will prevent any agricultural and reforestation activity in the future. Besides, the only clean water resource of the region—the dam of Atikhisar will be contaminated with the cyanide and ultimately will adversely affect the locals’ life. In simple terms, letting Alamos conduct mining activities in the region will put an end to the inhabitants’ living resources in respect of nature and clean water. Notwithstanding, it is crucial to assess that the region is the first-degree seismic zone and in the event of an earthquake that will trigger a spill or leak concerning the cyanide, the outcome might be even more vital for the neighborhood.

In conclusion, these big multinational companies are always making advertisement of their business through the promotion of sustainable development, in order to gain a regular appearance in the society; yet, in the backstage of their statements, which seem environmental-friendly, they conduct certain activities that remain entirely in the opposition. Thanks to the efficient awareness that has been generated by the Turkish intellectuals and the youth, and afterward supported by Greta Thunberg—Swedish 16-years old activist for climate crises, Ida mountains have a chance to be saved, though 200.000 innocent trees have been already cut down. From the very first day of such action, the Water and Conscience Watch (“Su ve Vicdan Nöbeti”) is fighting the Alamos for preventing any further massacre in the region. However, such an environmental-friendly struggle must be combined with the positive reaction of the Turkish legislation in terms of the withdrawal of the concessions/licenses, rather than throwing promises on the replantation in years.

PS: Hashtags used to promote the Water Watch: #KazDağlarıHepimizin and #SuNöbeti

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[1] See available at: http://bianet.org/english/law/211230-only-the-judiciary-can-stop-the-miners-in-ida-mountains.

[2] See available at: https://ejatlas.org/conflict/ida-mountain-kazdagi-prospecting-for-gold-turkey.

[3] See available at: http://bianet.org/english/law/211230-only-the-judiciary-can-stop-the-miners-in-ida-mountains.

[4] See available at: https://www.change.org/p/pressure-alamos-gold-to-stop-forest-massacre-in-turkey-alamosgoldinc-canada-justintrudeau

[5] See available at: https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2019/03/01/1745397/0/en/Alamos-Gold-Receives-Operating-Permit-for-Kirazl%C4%B1-Project.html

[6] See available at: https://www.dw.com/tr/kaz-da%C4%9Flar%C4%B1nda-do%C4%9Fa-i%C3%A7in-n%C3%B6bet-de-tehlike-de-s%C3%BCr%C3%BCyor/a-49800134

Autor: Mateo Luna N.

Percibimos el tiempo de una forma lineal y progresiva. Sin embargo tanto la física cuántica, como algunos grupos indígenas nos dicen lo contrario. El tiempo no es ni lineal ni progresivo, es más parecido a una espiral, donde se puede transitar libremente entre pasado, presente y futuro, un poco simplificado. Este parece ser el caso de Colombia y sus guerrillas. Podría ser cualquier momento de nuestra historia, como la paz alcanzada en 1954, que finalizó la primera etapa de la Violencia. O la década de  1960, cuando las guerrillas liberales se desmovilizaron definitivamente mientras que las guerrillas comunistas surgieron de forma definitiva.

En esos cortos periodos de paz los reclamos de los guerrilleros desmovilizados eran los mismo que aquejan a los miembros de las FARC hoy en día: “el gobierno no cumple”, “no hay seguridad para los desmovilizados,” “las condiciones de vida son precarias.” Y así nuevos brotes de violencia aparecían y aparecen. Esto debía cambiar con el proceso de paz que se negoció en la Habana, al menos eso nos dice el nombre: “ACUERDO FINAL PARA LA TERMINACIÓN DEL CONFLICTO Y LA CONSTRUCCIÓN DE UNA PAZ ESTABLE Y DURADERA”.  Así nos lo vendieron a los colombianos, como el mejor texto de un proceso de paz hecho hasta ahora en el mundo ¡¡¡Y si que lo es!!!

Los puntos acordados abordan de forma integral y completa las raíces del conflicto colombiano. Sin embargo, Santos nos lo vendió como algo fácil, rápido, barato, y sobre todo pacifico. Posiblemente por lo controversial que es, pues plantea cambiar la forma de vida de una nación arraigada desde la colonia, si, esos mismos, la reforma es a lo rural y a la participación política, la esencia de nuestra idiosincrasia. Sin embargo, ningún proceso de paz en el mundo es fácil, rápido, barato ni necesariamente pacífico, ni siquiera los que son considerados como los mas exitosos. Y a pesar de haberlo promovido como la panacea, cuando la gente se pronunció en rechazo del acuerdo lo pasó por el congreso sin más. Entonces me pregunto ¿Sirvió de algo haber engañado a los colombianos con falsas promesas de felicidad, paz y prosperidad instantáneas? Tal vez el golpe no hubiera sido tan duro si hubiésemos sabido la verdad desde el comienzo.

Sin embargo, el mayor problema de un proceso de paz es la falta de compromiso y voluntad política. El rechazo hacia el acuerdo, que se vio reflejado en el plebiscito, y en la elección del presidente. Quien aunque ha mantenido su compromiso con el acuerdo de una forma moderada, pertenece a un partido completamente escéptico que ha minado el camino hacia la paz. Los fondos de cooperación internacional para ejecutar los proyectos de construcción de paz están congelados, a eso se le suma la poca voluntad política, y un ministro de defensa que entiende más de negocios que de seguridad integral. Adicionalmente, esta semana recibimos un verdadero baldado de agua fría tras el anuncio hecho por Iván Márquez de retomar la lucha armada, donde aparece con Santrich, Romaña y el Paisa. Lo impresionante de esto es la capacidad que tienen ahora las disidencias de reorganizarse y unirse. Así, todo parece que el conflicto se va a reactivar. La paz pende de un hilo. Sin embargo, es nuestra obligación como colombianos para con las futuras generaciones y con nosotros mismos cortar esta espiral maldita. La cultura de paz empieza por cada uno de nosotros, así los de arriba nos fallen.