CHP issues sharp reaction to 'nature massacre law'

Erhan Adem, CHP Deputy Chairman responsible for Agriculture and Forestry Policies, has reacted sharply to a legislative proposal submitted by the government to the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM) that makes natural areas available for use for energy and mining investments through "super permits."

Arguing that the proposal is not merely a legal regulation but an organized attack on nature, farmers, and the public's right to life, Adem stated, "This law is a death warrant for nature and production."

A very harsh statement came from the Republican People's Party (CHP) regarding the legislative proposal prepared concerning the environment, agriculture, and rural areas. In a written statement to the public, CHP Deputy Chairman Erhan Adem stated that the proposal was prepared in every aspect with a hostile approach toward the public's right to life, nature, and producers.

“This proposal is not just a legal regulation. This is an organized attack plan launched against forests, olive groves, water, and soil. The war is not only at the border; it is inside this country," said Adem, emphasizing that the proposal allows for the plunder of natural assets under the pretext of strategic investment, renders Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) processes dysfunctional, and ignores the local public's right to a say.

"OLIVE GROVES, PASTURES, AND FORESTS UNDER THREAT"

Stating that if the legislative proposal is accepted, olive groves, forests, and pastures will be opened to private companies, Adem noted that this would cause not only environmental but also economic destruction:

“The elimination of olive groves is the destruction of a thousand-year-old production culture. Opening forests to mining is ecological destruction. The looting of pastures means the end of livestock farming and an increase in foreign dependency for food. The result of this proposal is migration in rural areas, hunger in cities, and impoverishment across the country.”

Criticizing the urgent expropriation clause as well, Adem stated that this regulation clearly violates the constitutional property rights of citizens, saying, “With this law, seizing the public's land is being made legal. This is a bomb dropped with a signature. This is an environmental crime committed with a law.”

"AS CHP, WE ARE CLEARLY AGAINST IT"

Emphasizing that as the CHP they are entirely against this proposal, Adem stated that they would fight in Parliament, on the streets, and in the villages:

“We stand on the side of life. We defend nature, the producer, the farmer, and future generations. The government's side is clear: crony contractors, mining barons, and plunder lobbies. This dark proposal must be withdrawn.”

Finally, Adem issued a call to all citizens:

“We invite everyone who protects their soil, water, trees, and children to this struggle. Defending life is possible today by opposing this law.”

News Source: 12punto