CIVICUS discusses the challenges of environmental activism in Turkey with Süheyla Doğan, activist and president of the Kazdağı Association for the Protection of Natural and Cultural Heritage.

On 3 September in Artvin province, a logging company employee fired on villagers as they protested against a logging project, killing one and injuring two. The villagers were trying to stop the construction of a development that was presented as a recreational area, but which they believed would become a quarry. The attack was part of a wider pattern of violence against Turkish environmental activists.

What are the conditions for civil society in Turkey?

In recent years, civil society has become much more prominent across Turkey, with civil society organisations (CSOs) playing essential roles in promoting values such as solidarity, trust and responsibility, fostering social development, peace and democracy, and helping create networks that enable communication and collective action.

However, civil society is under considerable pressure, mainly due to the current government’s conservative and undemocratic approach. The authorities frequently shut down civil society meetings, press conferences and protests, detain and arrest activists and subject them to biased trials that often result in unjust sentences. Some activists have been killed.

While pro-government organisations receive support, opposition groups face systematic repression, severely limiting their ability to organise and do their work. Criminalisation has created a climate of fear, exacerbated by disinformation campaigns.

What happened in Artvin, and how was it significant?

In early September, construction machinery arrived in the Cankurtaran area of Artvin province to clear parts of the forest for a planned recreation area. Local villagers protested against trees being cut down, and on 3 September an employee of the construction company Yapı-Soy Beton opened fire on the protesters.

The events were serious because they showed the extent to which the conflict between local communities and companies has escalated and sent a chilling message that violence can be used as a last resort to intimidate those who oppose corporate exploitation of natural resources.

Violence against environmental activists is on the rise in Turkey. Since the beginning of the 2000s, four activists have been killed for similar reasons. These movements are increasingly being targeted as they gain strength and pose a challenge to corporations involved in large energy, mining and infrastructure projects.

In response, civil society across Turkey took to the streets to show support for the environmental movement and demand justice.

What should the government do to improve the situation?

To really improve the situation, the government should lift all restrictions on CSOs and amend laws that restrict peaceful assembly. But it seems unlikely the government will do this. Instead, it seems determined to silence civil society voices, particularly through a proposed ‘foreign agents’ bill that would force CSOs and independent media that receive international funding to designate themselves as foreign agents. This is a tool to target dissent under the guise of protecting national security.

Meaningful change would require the inclusion of civil society and climate activists in policy-making processes and the creation of collaborative mechanisms, such as advisory boards. The government should also fund and resource CSOs, particularly those that focus on supporting vulnerable groups, while recognising and protecting the rights of Indigenous people and local communities.

The government should abandon environmentally damaging projects and move away from fossil fuels. Climate policies that prioritise people over corporations are essential, as are renewable energy initiatives that benefit both the ecosystem and local communities. The inclusion of climate activists in international negotiations and a forthcoming climate bill aimed at reducing carbon emissions will be crucial if Turkey is to address environmental challenges effectively.

What are the main issues on the agenda of the Turkish environmental movement?

The movement focuses on several pressing issues, particularly energy and mining projects that threaten Turkey’s natural resources. We are very concerned about fossil fuel power plants and poorly planned renewable energy initiatives that lack public oversight and promote energy injustice.

Extensive mining, particularly in regions such as the Black Sea and the Kaz Mountains, has led to widespread pollution, with about 60 per cent of Turkey’s surface area licensed for such activities. In addition, major infrastructure projects, such as new airports and bridges, are being carried out without adequate needs assessments, adversely affecting public transport and increasing urbanisation at the expense of green spaces.

Other pressing concerns include the destruction of forests and farmland by industrial projects, increasing forest fires and the challenges posed by extreme weather events. Industrial agricultural practices also threaten food security.

The Turkish environmental movement has been sharing these experiences and information with similar organisations abroad to increase international solidarity. But language barriers and financial constraints make cooperation difficult. International meetings, workshops and joint campaigns are key to strengthening the movement’s voice and ensuring greater support for its causes.