Sur under the longest curfew of recent history

The curfew in six neighborhoods of Sur remains in effect for 1 year 8 months and 21 days. One third of the historic district has been demolished by Turkish state forces during this period of time.

The curfew declared upon Cevatpaşa, Fatihpaşa, Dabanoğlu, Hasırlı, Cemal Yılmaz and Savaş neighborhoods in Amed’s central Sur district on 28 November 2015 remains in effect for 1 year 8 months and 21 days. The curfew that began following the killing of Diyarbakır Bar Association Head Tahir Elçi in front of the Foor-Footed Minaret is the longest one in the recent world history.

In accordance with the urgent expropriation decree published on Official Gazette, an area of 6300 parcels have been expropriated in the historic district.

One third of the district has been demolished during this period of time despite all the efforts made to stop the destruction that was carried out in the form of the greatest pillaging in the history of Amed and Sur. According to an Amnesty International report, around 40 thousand people have been displaced as a result of the all-out destruction of the district.

In addition to the houses of the people, the Turkish state has also demolished thousands of historical structures in the district, that include churches, mosques, mansions and hammams.

Access to the neighborhoods where demolition continues, is still banned. A few buildings that remain standing have been turned into military outposts by the police and special operations forces of the state. Thousands of inhabitants have still not left their homes despite everything. Several tradesmen had to take down the shutters due to the state’s genocidal attacks on the historic district.