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2009: Europe / Middle EastItaly | Portugal | Spain | Turkey | Iran | Jordan ItalyNew Publication Launched at Fair On March 14, CRBM launched a new publication, called "Dighe contro lo sviluppo" (Dams Against Development), about controversial large dams in Africa. The launch took place on the occasion of a major solidarity fair in Milan, called "Fa La Cosa Giusta" (Do the Right Thing). Additionally, a program at the fair was dedicated to good practices in water management both in Italy and internationally. Contact
Elena Gerebizza
PortugalRafting at Minho River Rafting activities were held at the Melgaco (Minho) River, near the border with Spain. There also was food and wine tasting, as well as exhibits on traditional fishing techniques of the region. Contact
Pedro
Couteiro
TurkeyTaking Action at World Water Forum As part of the actions around the World Water Forum in Istanbul in March this year, groups in Turkey prepared big demonstrations around water and dam issues on March 14 and March 19, to coincide with the Day of Action Against Dams and for Rivers. They also organized an Alternative Water Forum. Contact Web: http://alternatifsuforumu.org/en/
Peaceful Protesters in Turkey Arrested
World Water Forum Banner Drop Outside the conference center, police used tear gas and water cannons against 150 peaceful protesters.
Water Tribunal Heinrich Boell Foundation and the Trubunal Latinoamercano del Agua held a Water Tribunal in Istanbul on March 10-11 and March 14. The construction of big dams, pollution, privatization of water, etc. has led to unresolved water conflicts. "The objective of the Water Tribunal is to contribute to the resolution of water-related conflicts, for which no solution can be found within the current legal framework. The Water Tribunal also aims to provide alternative and fair solutions to water-related conflicts through reinterpretation of the law." Political decision makers are invited to the Tribunal to help generate solutions and bring public attention to these water-related conflicts. Four different cases, three of which were from Turkey and one from Latin America, were reviewed and assessed by a panel of jurors. The verdict was given on March 14, and Turkey was "slammed" on their dam projects on grounds that the construction would cause severe damage to the environment and displace thousands of people. The tribunal said the government of Turkey should revise its energy policies and incorporate civil society and local communities into decision making. The tribunal also claimed the Brazilian government showed a lack of concern for the environmental threats posed by dam projects on the Madeira River. Contact:
Nuket
SpainAction Against Mini-Dams in Spain In Spain, activists from pescaleon.com took action against mini-dams with presentations about the rivers of Leon. They brought awareness to people by speaking about the ecological problems derived from mini-dams. They also displayed banners from bridges and lock gates of dams.
Contact
Jose
Ruben Fisherfolk Protest At the Noguera Ribagorzana River of the Ebro River Basin, a gathering of fisherfolk and individuals was held to protest the Confederacion Hidrografica del Ebro (CHE) diversion of the river, as well as to pressure to restore the river and forest that has been affected by the project.
Read Spanish newspaper article. Contact
Pedro Brufao Curiel Petition Against Raising Levels of Yesa Dam On March 14th, The Aragon River Association Against the Raising of the Level of the Yesa Dam began to collect signatures against the expansion of the dam. The project is currently open for public comments. Contact
Asociacion Rio
Aragon "Ecologists in Action" Shows Support for Day of Action for Rivers
The Spanish group "Ecologistas en Accion"
(Ecologists in Action) released a statement rejecting large dams in support of
the International Day of Action for Rivers.
Concert Contact
Victoria Bello
IranCultural Gathering
Conference in Tonokeban, Iran Contact
Zahra Arabani
JordanPress Release Friends of the Earth Middle East issued a press release calling upon their governments to meet their commitments to rehabilitate the Lower Jordan River. Contact
Nader Al Khateeb, Palestinian Director of FoEME
(spoken languages: English and Arabic)
Munqeth Mehyar, Jordanian Director of FoEME (spoken
languages: English and Arabic)
Gidon Bromberg, Israeli Director of FoEME (spoken
languages: English and Hebrew)
Mira
Edelstein, Foreign Media Officer (spoken languages: English and Hebrew) Web: www.foeme.org
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