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Michel Forst, United Nations Special Rapporteur On The Situation Of Human Rights Defenders, Came To The 'Crem'Arbre' ZAD Against The A69

Michel Forst is speaking with MPs Karen Erodi and Anne Stambach-Terrenoir. As the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, he is visiting the 'Crem'Arbre' ZAD (Zone To Defend) in Saix, Tarn, France, on February 22, 2024, to see for himself if there are any truths to the allegations of excessive police violence, deprivation of food and water, and other concerns. During his visit, the riot police are not allowing any media to accompany him into the ZAD, and even MPs Karen Erodi and Anne Stambach-Terrenoir are being denied entry. Opponents of the planned A69 highway between Toulouse and Castres have established a ZAD called 'Crem'Arbre', where individuals nicknamed 'Ecureuils' ('squirrels') are living in trees to prevent them from being cut down. The Gendarmes Mobiles (riot police) are intervening to remove all opponents from the ZAD and are now standing guard near the trees occupied by the 'Ecureuils' to prevent sympathizers from supplying them with food and water. The Gendarmes Mobiles have cleared the area of opponents, and a special unit of policemen, CNAMO, is working to dislodge the 'Ecureuils' from their trees. After two days of police efforts, they have only managed to dislodge one 'Ecureuil'. However, new trees are being occupied by 'Ecureuils' at a new location called 'Cal'Arbre'. The main collective 'La Voie est Libre' (The Way is Free) is demanding that the highway project be halted until all judicial decisions are made. The expropriations for farmers have not been resolved. Opponents argue that reprofiling the N126 would be sufficient for the 6,000 vehicles expected per day and would cost significantly less. The A69 highway is projected to cost EUR512 million (in 2018 euros, excluding inflation) for 54 kilometers, and its construction would destroy over 100 protected species and 400 hectares of agricultural land. (Photo by Alain Pitton/NurPhoto)

Photo Details

Photo ID	#11018166
Date Taken	22 February 2024
Location	N/A
Photographer	Alain Pitton/NurPhoto
Category	Environmental Issue
Copyright	© 2025 NurPhoto - Alain Pitton/NurPhoto

Related Keywords

ecology highway protest la voie est libre lvel environment nature law btp collective national road n126 A69 public works politics opposition opponent objector protester climate nge climate change global warming castres concrete toulouse france nature destruction concreting atosca activist arborist climber trees zad crem'arbre public money waste occitanie tarn gendarmerie mobile public interest gathering activistes nature pacifism occupation tree forest woods oaks oak cutting clear cutting toulouse semalens saix crem'arbre autoroute A69 ldh cnamo human rights league ligue des droits de l'homme cal'arbre United Nations UN Michel Forst United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human righ law human rights karen erodi anne stambach-terrenoir

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