The undergraduates of Sabancý University made a demonstration against Akbank and Garanti Bank for their support to Ilýsu Dam project which will destroy Hasankeyf submerging it.

Holding a sit-in in front of Akbank which is also an organ of Sabancý Holding, the students displayed the Rewend (Migrant) video of Aynur Doðan shot in Hasankeyf, a video by Okan Bayülgen dubbed for Hasankeyf and advertisement videos of Akbank and Garanti Bank contradicting with each other.

 

Politics Club Manager Lezgin Ay stated that many European banks withdrew from the project on the grounds that it will destroy the historical heritage of Hasankeyf while Akbank and Garanti Bank that are known for their environmental protection and culture-art projections don't show the same awareness.

 

Ay also expressed that they will send an application to Akbank Board Chairman Suzan Sabancý Dinçer and Garanti Bank Board Chairman Ferit Þahenk, basing on the support for the petition they started and added; "We expect the demonstration of Sabancý University members against Akbank -a Sabancý Holding organ- and the application letter demanding the bank's withdraw to be effective. We have reached over 600 signatures in a short time with the support of Sabancý University member academicians, workers and students."

Translator: Berna Ozgencil