Hasankeyf is an ancient city located along the Tigris River in south-eastern Turkey. This ancient city has roots going back at least 10,000 years. It is one of the oldest still inhabited towns of mankind. About 300 archaeological sites surrounding Hasankeyf in the Tigris Valley give further evidence of our common human civilisation from prehistoric times onwards. The Tigris River ecosystems are largely intact with many endemic and globally threatened species like the Euphrates Soft-shell Turtle.

However, 400 kilometres of intact riverine habitat along the Tigris River and its tributaries are threatened by the Ilisu Dam Project, which will destroy the globally important natural and cultural heritage embedded in the Tigris Valley.

• Considering that the ancient city of Hasankeyf, within the intact landscape of the Tigris Valley, builds a unique unit of worldwide importance triggering 9 out 10 UNESCO World Heritage Site criteria,
• Recalling that the river-ecosystem of Tigris and its tributaries are of international importance for biodiversity,
• Considering that Hasankeyf is one of the oldest cities of mankind with tracks of more than 20 different cultures,
• Believing that we have a collective responsibility to protect and preserve our natural and cultural heritage for future generations,
• Believing that by Saving Hasankeyf, we can create better and more advanced options for the development of Turkey and the World,
• Assuming that the governments of Germany, Austria and Switzerland will fully pull out their export credit guarantee from the Ilýsu Dam project,

We, the undersigned, ask the Government of Turkey, through the Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan:

1. To stop the Ilýsu Dam Project
2. To propose Hasankeyf and the Tigris Valley as a UNESCO Natural and Cultural World Heritage Site.