Justice for Kurdish people affected by the Turkish earthquake disaster

WE ARE CALLING UPON HUMANITY TO NOTICE THIS CRIMINAL COMPLAINT!

INSANLIGA SUC DUYURUMUZ VAR

A 7.2 magnitude earthquake hit Van, Turkey October 23, 2011. Nineteen nations immediately offered their support. In the first instance, Turkey declined all aid by stating that they did not require international help. Israeli authorities made a statement saying that their help efforts were rejected.

International news headlines were covered with news that Turkey was rejecting all international aid. The New York Times, Wall Street Journal and The Guardian newspapers all reported the Turkish government as “tyrannical” and “insensitive” towards the victims of the Van earthquake. The European Union leaders shamed the Turkish government for declining aid for those affected by the Van earthquake. Martin Schulz stated “The Erdogan administration has the power to decline international aid, but at that point it becomes their full responsibility to deliver all aid and services on their own to the earthquake victims”

Some individuals watched the developing stories of the earthquake with pleasure and even made comments suggesting their joy through social media sites. Comments such as “even though it was in Van, we were still saddened” suggesting Van is not a city in Turkey, and “how could you Kurds expect authorities to help you, when just the other day you were attacking them with stones” were common terms of harassment against the helpless Kurdish victims.

The government did not reach the disaster area for at least 24 hours after the fact. The Turkish government failed to immediately deliver tents to the freezing victims affected in the Van area, but it afforded to spend millions of dollars that same day on weapons to battle on the Iraqi border. The fact that aid, and tents were not being distributed caused further suffering and anger in the area. Thousands gathered in front of the Crises Table and expressed their frustration, while police responded to the situation with gas bombs.

Yes, the natural disaster occurred in Van, the second largest city most heavily populated by Kurds. This gave the Turkish government another chance to show the world its careless and shameless behavior towards humanity. As The New York Times paper stated “the hours following an earthquake are always a race against time”. The first 24 hours after an earthquake are always critical, vital moments. By not responding immediately to the suffering in the area, the Turkish government has and is committing a crime against humanity. Can the world see the mistreatment that is being directed towards Kurdish people now?

Hear the screech of the mothers…Add your voice to our voice… Give peace and humanity a chance!!!