Legal organizations launched a one-day Justice Vigil in front of the Istanbul Courthouse to protest the violations of rights that emerged after the Maraş-centred earthquakes.

The vigil started with a press statement in front of the Istanbul Courthouse in Çağlayan on Thursday.

The Association of Lawyers for Freedom (ÖHD), Contemporary Lawyers Association (ÇHD), Lawyers for Democracy, Ankara Bar Association Head Mustafa Köroğlu, İzmir Bar Association Head Sefa Yılmaz, Istanbul Chamber of Architects Head Esin Köymen and many lawyers from Istanbul Bar Association joined the vigil.

Eren Can, a lawyer affiliated with the Istanbul Bar Association, said: “When I went to Hatay, there was no search and rescue operation. The city was completely left to its fate. We saw only volunteers there for the first 3-4 days. There were only civilians and volunteers there, and we have to thank them.”

Çiğdem Akbulut from the ÇHD said: “The state continues its activities at the expense of people. The state is behind the racist attacks, especially in Hatay.”

ÖHD Istanbul Branch Co-Chair Esra Bilen said: “People wearing official law enforcement uniforms and balaclava tortured citizens severely.”

Devrim Avcı from the Lawyers for Democracy said: “The government puts its cumbersome response to the earthquake out of sight and insults the critical voices.”