February 6 message from Can Atalay: Have all those responsible been tried after 53,537 deaths?

Can Atalay, who is being held in prison at Marmara Prison in Silivri as part of the Gezi Park trial, issued a statement on the second anniversary of the February 6 earthquakes. In his statement, Atalay asked, “What has been done after the deaths of 53,537 people? Have all those responsible for these deaths been tried? Have public officials been tried? Why are those being tried limited almost exclusively to contractors? Why is there a deep silence regarding the fact that almost no one remains in prison, except for a limited number of cases?”

Atalay, who was not released despite being elected as a member of parliament and whose parliamentary status was revoked by a decision that the Constitutional Court declared "null and void," shared the following in a statement posted on his social media account: 

“Tomorrow is the second anniversary of the February 6 Earthquakes. Tomorrow, everyone will do something about that terrible morning. The majority will remember the horror; those of us who lost loved ones, those of us who could not even lay their dead to rest in a grave, will pay their respects in their own way, pray, and weep. Mostly, it will be talked about. But when we list what has been done and what has not been done after this massive destruction, are we not obliged to ask the following questions?

53,537 – mind you, fifty-three thousand – people have died; what has been done since? Have all those responsible for these deaths been tried? Have public officials been tried? Why are those being tried limited almost exclusively to contractors? Why is there a deep silence regarding the fact that almost no one remains in prison, except for a limited number of cases?

The earthquake caused serious destruction across 11 provinces: Adana, Adıyaman, Diyarbakır, Elâzığ, Gaziantep, Hatay, Kahramanmaraş, Kilis, Malatya, Osmaniye, and Şanlıurfa. People in the earthquake zone, but especially in Hatay, are living in very difficult conditions.

'WHO OR WHOM IS BEING PROTECTED?'

In Hatay, 223,906 people are still living in containers. Out of 153,535 eligible beneficiaries, keys have been handed over to only 6,868 of our citizens, and only 3,320 of these beneficiaries have moved into the residences. 

We have asked these questions to those who would say, 'Criminal prosecution has a limited effect on solving problems.' Finally, we would like to ask one more question: There is no laboratory environment in social sciences/law, but some cases provide almost laboratory-like conditions. Why is the investigation into the İskenderun State Hospital being covered up? Who or whom is being protected? 

Tomorrow is the anniversary of indescribable pain and great anger. I bow with respect before the memory of those we have lost. I wish health and patience to those who remain.

I salute our citizens who raise the demand to hold all those responsible to account, who do not let go of those responsible, and who insist on a new life.”