Heavy destructions occurred in our provinces in the region because of the two major earthquakes, which occurred on February 6, 2023, an earthquake of 7.7 magnitude epicentre of which was Pazarcık district of Kahramanmaraş province and another one of 7.6 magnitude epicentre of which was Elbistan district. These demolitions have made it difficult or abolish access to many fundamental human rights, especially the right to housing and shelter, access to clean water, food and security for our citizens living in Adana, Adıyaman, Diyarbakır, Gaziantep, Hatay, Kahramanmaraş, Kilis, Malatya, Osmaniye and Şanlıurfa. 

 

Some of the buildings in the earthquake zones were destroyed, and most were seriously damaged. Therefore, many of our citizens who were damaged by the earthquake had to leave their cities. Moreover, because of its destroyed and damaged buildings, most of our citizens who went to the surrounding provinces increased the need for shelter and the demand for housing in these provinces. Therefore, it is vital to solve the housing problem of earthquake victims who are homeless or unable to enter their homes in the context of the right to housing and shelter, which are among the most fundamental human rights.

The right to housing as a fundamental human right refers to the person's ability to reach an adequate residence easily, continuously, sustainably and safely. Everyone has the right to live in a home worthy of human dignity, where they can continue their lives permanently and safely. According to Article 25.1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; "Everyone has the right to food, clothing, housing and medical care for the well-being of himself and of his family." According to Article 11.1 of the the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ESCR), "The States Parties to the present Covenant recognize the right of everyone to an adequate standard of living for himself and his family, including adequate food, clothing and housing, and to the continuous improvement of living conditions." According to the Article 57 of the Constitution of the Republic of Türkiye, titled "Right to Housing" contains that "The State shall take measures to meet the need for housing within the framework of a plan that takes into account the characteristics of cities and environmental conditions, and also support community housing projects."

The intense migration movements towards the provinces close to the region, such as Ankara, Mersin and Elazığ, have increased the housing demand in these provinces. Therefore, those who try to turn the increasing housing demands into opportunities begin to increase the rent and sales prices in the regions where they are located. Tent and container cities continue to be built in earthquake zones, and citizens in many provinces open their homes free of charge to earthquake victims. When the whole nation was one heart, the exorbitant price increases made by those who take advantage of the situation will violate the right to housing and shelter, which are among the most fundamental human rights.

Pursuant to Article 3 of the Law No.6701 Human Rights and Equality Institution of Türkiye; “It is prohibited under this Law to discriminate against persons based on the grounds of sex, race, colour, language, religion, belief, sect, philosophical or political opinion, ethnical origin, wealth, birth, marital status, health status, disability and age.” Furthermore, in the third paragraph of Article 5 of the aforementioned Law states that “When offering movable and immovable property to public; public institutions and agencies, professional bodies with public institution status, natural persons and legal persons established under private law and those authorize by them shall never discriminate against those who wish to acquire or rent such property and wish to receive information thereon at any stage during the lease of such property, formulation of the conditions of the contract of lease, renewal of the contract of lease or termination thereof, sale or assignment."

In this context, pursuant to Law No. 6701, discrimination should not be made at any stage of movable and immovable properties' sales and rental processes. In accordance with the aforementioned Law, it should be considered that the right to housing and shelter is one of the most fundamental human rights and there should be no discriminatory treatment during the sales and rental processes to be made with our citizens from earthquake regions. Our institution will follow up on all these issues.

Respectfully announced to the public.