The February 6, 2023, earthquakes in Turkey exposed widespread construction malpractices and regulatory failures, leading to thousands of deaths and massive destruction. Investigations revealed that many buildings collapsed due to the use of substandard materials and negligence in enforcing earthquake-resistant regulations. Corruption played a major role, as permits and inspections were often bypassed, allowing unsafe structures to be built. While Turkish authorities initiated legal proceedings against contractors and developers, critics argue that municipal officials and government regulators who failed in their oversight responsibilities have largely escaped accountability.
In response to public outrage, Turkish courts have sentenced over 118 individuals involved in negligent construction practices, with more than 1,300 cases still pending. However, no public officials have been prosecuted, raising concerns about selective justice and interference in the legal process. Human rights organizations have criticized the government for failing to hold municipal authorities accountable, arguing that the justice system is protecting officials while focusing only on private-sector actors. Legal barriers requiring special permissions to investigate government officials further complicate efforts to achieve comprehensive justice.
Despite ongoing trials, survivors and the broader public continue to demand greater accountability from both contractors and government officials. The earthquake not only highlighted the weaknesses in Turkey’s construction industry but also exposed deep-rooted issues of corruption and governance failures.
As Right Defenders, we strongly emphasize that impartial legal processes and stricter enforcement of building regulations are critical to preventing future tragedies and rebuilding public trust in the system.
Sources:
https://www.hrw.org/news/2024/02/02/turkiye-ensure-accountability-deaths-earthquake
