Editorial photo #11018182 Environmental Issue
Michel Forst, United Nations Special Rapporteur On The Situation Of Human Rights Defenders, Came To The 'Crem'Arbre' ZAD Against The A69
A protester is standing on the stump of a tree that was cut two days ago. Michel Forst, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, is visiting the 'Crem'Arbre' ZAD (Zone To Defend) in Saix, Tarn, France, on February 22, 2024, to see for himself if the allegations of excessive police violence, deprivation of food and water, and other issues are true. During his visit, the riot police are not allowing any media to follow him into the ZAD. Even the two Members of Parliament, Karen Erodi and Anne Stambach-Terrenoir, are not permitted to enter. Opponents have set up a ZAD called 'Crem'Arbre' on the planned A69 highway between Toulouse and Castres, and individuals nicknamed 'Ecureuils' ('squirrels') are living in the trees to prevent them from being cut down. The Gendarmes Mobiles (riot police) are intervening to clear the ZAD of all opponents and are now standing guard near the trees occupied by the 'Ecureuils' to block the supply of food and water by sympathizers. The Gendarmes Mobiles have cleared the nearby area of all opponents, and a special unit of policemen, CNAMO, is intervening to dislodge the 'Ecureuils' from their trees. After two days of police efforts, they have only dislodged one 'Ecureuil'. However, new trees are being occupied by 'Ecureuils' in a new place called 'Cal'Arbre'. The main collective 'La Voie est Libre' ('The Way is Free') is demanding that the highway construction be halted until all judicial decisions on the matter are made. All expropriations for farmers have not been settled. Opponents of the project argue that the reprofiling of the N126 would be sufficient for the 6,000 vehicles planned per day and would cost far less money. The A69 highway is projected to cost EUR512 million (in 2018 euros, excluding inflation) for 54 kilometers, and its construction would destroy more than 100 protected species and 400 hectares of agricultural fields. (Photo by Alain Pitton/NurPhoto)
