CHP MP protests mining accidents: 'This black mark is a stain on all our foreheads'

CHP Adana MP Müzeyyen Şevkin drew attention to the plight of workers who lost their lives in mining accidents with a protest she staged at the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM) General Assembly.

The Assembly convened under the chairmanship of Deputy Speaker of the Parliament Bekir Bozdağ to discuss the 2025 budget proposals for the Ministries of Transport and Infrastructure, Energy and Natural Resources, and Health.

Taking the floor for an off-agenda speech, Şevkin shared data regarding mining accidents, recalling that 301 miners lost their lives in Soma, 43 in Amasra, and 9 in İliç. Expressing her criticisms in harsh terms, Şevkin said, "The commission report regarding the İliç accident has not been released for 10 months. What are you hiding, who are you trying to exonerate? No one is taking responsibility. Are the miners who died responsible?"

After her speech, Şevkin used black paint she had brought with her to paint her face, stating, "I am applying this black mark for our miners who died in Soma, Amasra, and İliç. This black mark is a stain on all our foreheads."

Emphasizing that mines are a national asset, Şevkin stated that those responsible for the accidents must be held accountable. This meaningful gesture she made during her protest resonated among other MPs in the Assembly.

Following the protest, the budget negotiations for the relevant ministries continued in the parliamentary session.