Italy | Portugal | Spain | Turkey | Iran | Jordan

Italy

New 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
Email: egerebizza@crbm.org
Web: falacosagiusta.org/milano/home.php

Portugal

Rafting 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
Phone: +351-969761301
Email: coagret.pt@gmail.com
Web: coagret.worldpress.com

Turkey

Taking 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

Two International Rivers staff members were arrested and detained on March 16th, for unfurling a banner at the opening ceremony at the World Water Forum.

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
Email: nogan@boell-tr.org
watertribunal@tragua.com
Web: www.boell-tr.org
www.tragua.com/en

Spain

Action 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
Email: info@pescaleon.com
Web: www.pescaleon.com

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
Email: pbrufao@hotmail.com
Web: www.riosconvida.es

Petition Against Raising Levels of Yesa Dam

On March 14^th, 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
Email: rio.aragon@yesano.com
Web: www.yesano.com
www.riosdecultura.org

"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.
Read the statement

Concert
Jalon Vivo Association and Coagret organized a concert in Zaragoza, Spain on March 7^th. They also issued a press release in local newspapers.

Contact

Victoria Bello
Email: victoriatrigo2@hotmail.com

Iran

Cultural Gathering

In response to a dam built on the Tonekoban River, the Tonekoban Women Society Against Environmental Pollution (TWSAEP), in collaboration with the Alpine Club of Iran, organized a conference in Tonekoban City to increase public awareness against dams and rivers. This was the first time Iran participated in the International Day of Action for Rivers, holding an open discussion between city council members and dam experts. Following the conference, there was a cultural gathering with live folklore music from northern Iran.

Contact

Zahra Arabani
Phone: 0098 912 377 3199
Email: z_arabani@yahoo.com
Web: http://tonekawsaep.blogspot.com

Jordan

Press 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.

Read the Press Release

Contact

Nader Al Khateeb, Palestinian Director of FoEME (spoken languages: English and Arabic)
Phone: 972 522875022
Email: nader@foeme.org

Munqeth Mehyar, Jordanian Director of FoEME (spoken languages: English and Arabic)
Phone: 962 777548477,
Email: munqeth@foeme.org

Gidon Bromberg, Israeli Director of FoEME (spoken languages: English and Hebrew)
Phone: 972 52 4532597
Email: gidon@foeme.org

Mira Edelstein, Foreign Media Officer (spoken languages: English and Hebrew)
Phone: 972 54 6392937
Email: mira@foeme.org

Web: www.foeme.org