The Executive Council of the Kurdistan Communities Union (KCK) issued a statement on the 6.8 magnitude earthquake with the epicentre in Elazığ that hit Northern Kurdistan last Friday.

The KCK wished the relatives of those who died in the earthquake their heartfelt condolences and a speedy recovery to those who were injured. KCK called on the people to show solidarity with those affected and said: "Society and humanity must show solidarity and alleviate the pain, especially in such situations. Our historically developed values oblige us to do so. It is of the utmost importance not to wait for the state, but to show solidarity with the earthquake victims without hesitation. Disasters such as earthquakes, floods and the like happen to every society. That is why solidarity also affects everyone.

The Turkish state has shown time and again that it disregards the safety and health of the people. After the Marmara quake in 1999, in which thousands of people lost their lives, absolutely nothing was spent on measures to protect against earthquakes. Billions of Turkish lira and dollars were spent on supporting the bourgeoisie. The taxes collected for earthquake protection went elsewhere. This shows the character of the AKP regime."

The KCK also criticised the fact that the state underestimates the number of people killed and warned that if nothing is done to protect people, tens of thousands could die in similar disasters in the next few years. On this basis, KCK called for pressure to be exerted on the government and for measures to be taken, but above all to strengthen solidarity among people.

The statement concluded with the words: "The irresponsibility of state and government has once again demonstrated the need for peoples to free themselves from states and to administer themselves in a democratic-confederal system. Only through their own self-government can the people prepare themselves for earthquakes and all other disasters."