6 February marks the first anniversary of the twin Maraş-centered earthquakes that devastated large parts of at least 11 southern and eastern cities in Turkey last year, affecting more than 13 million people and leaving tens of thousands dead.
Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) Co-Chair Tülay Hatimoğulları met with earthquake victims in Maraş on the anniversary of the devastating earthquakes one year ago.
Tülay Hatimoğulları visited Kapıçam Cemetery and then went to Çiğili village and listened to the problems of the survivors.
Hatimoğulları emphasised that the houses built for the victims should be distributed to the citizens free of charge, adding that they would make the necessary efforts to make sure that it happens.
Stating that earthquake victims were still living in difficult conditions, Hatimoğulları said: "The first duty of a social state is to solve the housing, education and health problems of citizens. There is no step taken in this regard."
Remarking that the government pursued a discriminatory policy, she said, "Even while distributing aid to those affected, households were selected discriminatively."
During the visit, an earthquake with a magnitude of 3.6 occurred in the city. Tülay Hatimoğulları continued her speech and said, "We have just experienced another earthquake as we speak. Public service should be provided in the best way here."
The delegation then visited the Narlı Cemevi (Alevi place of worship) and observed the living conditions of the survivors. Cemevi President Tahir Ortaş stated that they were still living in poor and challenging conditions and that they distributed aid in secret because their work was not tolerated by the state.
The last stop of the delegation was DEM Party Pazarcık District Organisation. Meeting with the people here, Hatimoğulları recalled the loss of lives in the earthquake and said: "I say this as a person who witnessed the pain of this earthquake first hand. What made our pain worse was that we were left to die knowingly and willingly. It was as if they wanted to reduce our population. They watched our death from the palace and Ankara."
Tülay Hatimoğulları concluded: "The biggest wreckage of this country is this government itself. I condemn this mentality that has issued zoning amnesties, lent earthquake tenders to the gang of five, and now, when they turn to the people and hand over the key, they estimate a price of at least 3-5 million liras for a house. We will not forget. We will build ourselves and our city in solidarity."
