Broken windows and damaged merchandise have left many shopkeepers at their wit’s end as a slew of recent illegal demonstrations have wreaked havoc on their business premises. Van Tradesmen and Craftsmen Chambers Union (VESOB) President Hüsamettin Çelik explained that the demonstrations are a serious blow to local businesspeople and that they want an end to them immediately. “Both the public and our trades people are the victims of this type of illegal demonstration,” he said. Shopkeepers angry with the situation are planning a major response to the demonstrations, he said, emphasizing that many people’s businesses have been damaged and that tradespeople are highly uneasy about the current situation.
“Those who fear for their life and property are forced to shut down their workplaces; those who can’t afford to do this because they have no other way of making a living have to contend with broken windows and signs. During a period where the [government’s] democratic initiative is under way in the region, such demonstrations can do nothing but harm,” Çelik added.
Hakkari Union of Tradesmen and Craftsmen’s Chambers President Arif Koparan expressed similar complaints. “In Hakkari many businesses have just shut down, which is greatly damaging to our tradesmen. Shutting down or closing metal shutters over the windows, so nobody can see your products anyway, isn’t a solution,” he said.
Ağrı Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Mehmet Erat also complained about the demonstrations, emphasizing: “Such events in our region are a cause of grief for us. We need to revitalize our economy, raise our level of education. … The damage and destruction taking place here is just harming the people in the region.”
