Justice struggle in earthquakes from August 17 to February 6: 'Zero public officials punished in Marmara earthquake'

A legal expert has criticized Turkey's handling of earthquake-related justice, pointing to a lack of accountability for public officials and contractors following major seismic events.

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The number of public officials who were punished and served their sentences after the Marmara earthquake is zero.

Hukukçu and ADD Hatay Branch President Av. H. Cihat Açıkalın stated that 27 years after the 1999 Gölcük earthquake, the nation has still not learned from its mistakes. He noted that a scientific committee formed after the quake, initially effective in disaster management, was later disbanded due to political interference. Açıkalın also condemned the "construction amnesty" policy, which he believes allowed citizens to build their own coffins.

"The number of public officials who were punished and served their sentences after the Marmara earthquake is zero," Açıkalın said. He added that only one contractor was imprisoned but later released due to sentence reductions and continued his work. This bureaucratic approach, he argued, continues to prevail, with laws and lengthy trials shielding responsible officials from justice.

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The scientific committee, which was initially very functional and competent in disaster management, was later disbanded because it did not serve the distorted functioning of politics.

Açıkalın also criticized the legal proceedings for the February 6 earthquakes, stating that many cases involving public officials are still awaiting investigation permits. He described the trials as being built on "conscious negligence," leading to the release of many defendants. The constant changes in parole laws make it difficult to find hope in these proceedings.

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We are still awaiting investigation permits for cases involving public officials.

He further accused some bar associations of mismanaging the legal process, with some bar presidents even representing defendants in cases related to the devastating earthquakes. Açıkalın called for special legal regulations to end illegal construction, reinstate a scientific committee to oversee urban planning and disaster risk reduction, ensure swift judicial processes for public officials, and restrict arbitrary zoning changes by local governments. He also emphasized the need for citizen participation in urban planning decisions.

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The sacred right to defense must be upheld, but a bar president should never undertake the defense of a defendant in the face of such great social tragedy.