The Peace Vigil held by the Human Rights Association (IHD) Izmir Branch on the first Friday of every month, continues.

This week, activists drew attention to the plunder of nature and eco-crimes carried out by the Turkish state and private companies.

Various political parties, civil and women's organizations, as well as many citizens attended the vigil. A banner read "Peace for an ecological life from Cudi to Akbelen".

After the vigil, a press release was held in front of the Old Sümerbank.

IHD Director Fırat Canoğlu touched upon the eco-crimes in Akbelen and Cudi Mountain. He said that the absence of an environment of peace harms all living things, and added: "Not only war, of course, the environment created by war, the reality it covers, the justice it postpones, provide the most suitable environment for the exploitation of nature's plunder and labor. The destruction of the environment continues rapidly in all regions of the country. So is the destruction of forests. Trees are being cut under the excuse of security reasons."

War policy

Canoğlu said: "For years, the violence and war policy, especially in Dersim, Bingöl, Muş, Hakkari, and other Kurdish provinces, have ruled. Forests are cut down and burned using the excuse of the 'fight against terrorism' and 'security'. These cuts are made completely under the supervision of law enforcement. The people who went to put out the forest fire on Cudi Mountain were taken into custody. The people's attempt to extinguish the fire was thwarted."

'Right to resist eco-crimes'

Canoğlu said: “The right to a safe environment includes the right to live in a healthy and balanced way as well as the right to demand and resist the creation of all kinds of environmental problems that threaten humane living conditions.

We, human rights defenders, want to remind that everyone has the right to live in a healthy and safe environment, and that it is the duty of the state to improve the environment, protect environmental health and prevent environmental pollution."