The İzmir Bar Association reported the problems experienced in Osmaniye, Gaziantep, Adiyaman and İskenderun, which were affected by the Maraş-centred earthquake on February 6. A delegation, consisting of a group of 6 lawyers including the head of the Izmir Bar Association, Sefa Yılmaz, revealed their observations in the earthquake region at a press conference at the bar association headquarters on Tuesday. A statement was read out by Yılmaz on behalf of the delegation.

RIGHT TO LIFE VIOLATED

Yılmaz said that the rescue efforts of the state-run AFAD were limited in the earthquake area and could only be carried out on the second day of the earthquake, adding that the right to life was violated.

Yılmaz listed the problems in the region under the following headings:

"* It is getting more difficult to obtain news. The Internet is insufficient. A social media shutdown was introduced. Earthquake victims could not communicate with their relatives. The right to communicate has been violated.

* Field Hospital is now being established. No medicine. There is no space for medical intervention.

* The right to accommodation has been violated. Tents and containers were not delivered. The tents erected by citizens were removed on the grounds that they were not in accordance with the procedures.

* There was severe discrimination in the first four days; minority religious groups were ignored. Violence and torture have increased due to hate speech.

* Our aid supplies were confiscated by AFAD officials in order to distribute them from a single centre. The aid of NGOs was not allowed, except for certain pro-government religious communities and orders.

* There have been violations of rights related to judicial proceedings. Prosecutors were sent to the region after a week to collect evidence, to allow burial services and to investigate into lootings. The Izmir Bar Association is making efforts to send 20 lawyers to Hatay.

* An epidemic may erupt in earthquake-hit areas in the near future. Widespread looting was observed in the first four days. Afterwards, there has been violence, including murders against people who were accused of looting.

* There has been an effort to change the demographic structure of the region. It is claimed that 400 thousand survivors will move to İzmir city. They are coming to the cities of Antalya, Mersin, Ankara, İzmir. Other regions will also attract migration. It is not possible to solve this problem in a short time.

* No foreign aid is coming. There is a serious need for the state capacity which remains unavailable. People trust NGOs, not the state.”