Some 45 NGOs, including many local organisations for the Alevi religious minority, called for dignified treatment of earthquake victims and careful conduct for rubble clearing missions.
“There are still tens of thousands of people under the rubble, waiting to be taken out – dead or alive,” the NGOs said in a joint statement. “Rubble clearing has started in sites where rescue efforts continue, which has led to outrage among the mourning families and all of the public.”
A rushed effort in clearing rubble could result in disrupted bodies and worse, killing those still trapped but holding on to life, they added. “This process could also result in the destruction of evidence.”
“Not burying the dead in dignity is both unlawful and inhumane. It is a requirement of not only respect for the deceased but for the living that bodies are able to be removed from rubble, handed over to their families, and buried properly. Proper burial of the deceased will be an important step towards justice as well,” they said.
On 6 February, twin earthquakes with magnitudes of 7.8 and 7.6 rocked Turkey and northern Syria, directly affecting more than 13 million people. More than 36,000 people have lost their lives and countless remain trapped under the rubble as rescue efforts slow down and give way to rubble clearing missions.
Victims’ families have had to get approval for burials themselves, whereas under normal circumstances the service is provided by the state, and there have been instances of mass burials without proper religious ceremonies, the NGOs said. Rubble clearing efforts have disrupted bodies, while loved ones of LGBT victims have had problems receiving the bodies from authorities. Migrants and refugees have also had issues accessing the aid materials that the peoples of Turkey and thousands of people from around the globe have donated to the affected area. There have been reports of bodies going missing as well.
“All people who wait by the demolished sites under harsh winter conditions to receive the lifeless bodies of their loved ones should be given them in a proper manner. We call on all to support this most humane demand, and the government to act responsibly and do what is necessary in this matter,” they concluded.
Signatories are as follows:
Respect for the Deceased and Justice Initiative
Human Rights Association (İHD)
Diyarbakır Chamber of Medicine
Foundation for Society and Law Studies
Centre for Memory and Justice
Psychologists for Social Solidarity
Democratic Lawyers for Freedom
Lawyers for Freedom Association
Contemporary Lawyers Association
Access to Right to Just Trial Association
Research for Truth in Media and Law Association
Democratic Alevi Associations
Alevi Bektaşı Federation
European Alevi Unions Confederation
Alevi Associations Federation
Alevi Cultural Associations
Pir Sultan Abdal Cultural Associations
Democratic Alevi Federation
German Alevi Unions Federation
Austria Alevi Unions Federation
Germany Tilkililer Social Solidarity Association
Maraş Rebuild Life In-situ Association
Women’s Human Rights – New Solutions Association
Women’s Time Association
Kaos-GL
Ankara Rainbow Families Association
Diyarbakır Bar Association LGBTI+ Rights Commission
Pink Life LGBTI+ Solidarity Association
We Want to Live Together Initiative
Syrian Home Association
Peoples’ Bridge
Unity for Democracy
Human Rights and Social Security Forum
East-Southeast Associations
Generation ’78 Initiative
Der-Mez
Gün-Der
KAYY-DER
MEBYA-DER
ANYAKAY-DER
