Amnesty International reproves forced evictions in central Istanbul

City and district municipalaties in Istanbul have threatened dozens of families with eviction and some have already been forced to leave their homes, in a timeworn but historic neighbourhood earmarked for renovation, Amnesty International reports.

The human rights group urged Beyoğlu municipality to suspend the ‘heavy-handed’ clearing of the area and not proceed until residents had been given proper notice and offered viable alternative housing or compensation.

“Most of those confront eviction have not been given adequate notice. They have not been consulted, provided with legal solutions or offered adequate alternative housing or compensation,” said Andrew Gardner, Amnesty International’s researcher on Turkey.

Amnest Int. : Alarm, Human Rights Violation in Turkey

” Their human rights are being violated. There must also be an investigation into the claims of harassment by public officials.” he added.

The municipality was not immediately available for comment.

Istanbul neighbourhoods : Very cosmopolitan, yet contrast with eachother

Just meters away from the fashionable bars and cafes of Istanbul’s Galata neighbourhood Tarlabaşı is a dense labyrinth of streets once home to the city’s ethnic Greek community, who mostly left after pogroms in the 1950s and deportations in 1964.

Today the area is been called home by a mix of marginalised groups including Romans, Kurds, and transsexuals, pimps and prostitues.

Amnesty International informed residents reported being subjected to intimidation and threats by local municipality officials and police. In some cases they were forced to sign eviction notices without being allowed time to read them or told not signing would result in immediate eviction Amnesty said. Residents told Amnesty the only city housing offered to them was on the outskirts of Istanbul more than two hours away by public transport. For many the cost of the housing and of commuting is beyond their means

Municipalities : We will renovate and grant the former grandeur these areas

The local area wants to return the area’s old town houses to their former grandeur and attract a new wealthier population. Residents told Amnesty the only city housing offered to them was on the outskirts of Istanbul more than two hours away by public transport. For many the cost of the housing and of commuting is beyond their means.

 

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