Turkey -- The AKP-run municipal administration in the Idil district of Sirnak province is issuing demolition orders against homes and commercial premises belonging to members of the Assyrian community. Four of the affected Assyrian citizens have already initiated legal proceedings against the measures. Nevertheless, their buildings were demolished before the court could rule on their objections. Measures have also been taken against a guesthouse belonging to the Assyrian Orthodox Church of the Virgin Mary. Those affected view the actions as an attempt to intimidate the Assyrian community and weaken its ties to its homeland.

Demolitions despite legal objections

Lawyer Melke Karagöl, whose own family is affected by the demolition orders, criticized the municipal administration's actions. The demolished buildings belonged to four Assyrian residents and were between 20 and 25 years old. "Three days before the demolition, we filed an objection with the court. Before a decision had even been made, the houses were demolished," Karagöl told MA. The court proceedings are still pending. However, the municipal administration created a fait accompli without waiting for the outcome.

In addition to the demolition orders, the municipal administration also sealed residential and commercial buildings belonging to Assyrians and imposed administrative fines. Karagöl is particularly critical of the measures taken against the guesthouse of the Assyrian Orthodox Church of the Virgin Mary. The municipal administration has also approved its demolition. Karagöl views this as a deliberate policy targeting the Assyrian community, a large proportion of whose members live in Europe. "They want Assyrians in Europe to completely lose their ties to this region. That is their goal," the lawyer stated.

Those affected announced that they would continue to challenge the measures through legal and democratic means. "We do not accept practices aimed at pressuring and intimidating Assyrian citizens. We will defend our rights through all legal and democratic means," they stated.

DEM Party brings demolition measures before parliament

The developments have meanwhile also reached the Turkish parliament. DEM Party MPs Newroz Uysal Aslan, Mehmet Zeki Irmez, Aysegül Dogan and George Aslan have submitted written parliamentary questions to the relevant ministries. They are seeking information on the legal basis for the sealing orders, fines and demolition orders targeting properties belonging to Assyrians. They also raised the actions of the AKP-run municipal administration, which had buildings demolished even though judicial review of the measures had not yet been completed.