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Submitted by the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) and Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), the motions calling on the Parliament to set up commissions to investigate earthquakes were debated at the General Assembly of the Parliament yesterday (January 28).
The motions have been rejected by the MPs of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) and Nationalist Movement Party (MHP).
While CHP's motion foresaw the establishment of a commission of investigation on the repair and reinforcement works to be undertaken in buildings against earthquakes, HDP proposed to set up a commission to take the necessary precautions before, during and after earthquakes.
While the opposition parties supported one another's motions, İYİ Party, another opposition party, supported the proposals of both parties. However, the MPs of the AKP and MHP voted against both motions.
HDP Antep MP Mahmut Toğrul, CHP İstanbul MP Ali Şeker and İYİ Party Group Deputy Chair Lütfü Türkkan briefly stated the following about the proposed motions on earthquake commissions:
Toğrul: There is a need for a commission of investigation
"There are three stages about earthquakes: The steps to be taken before an earthquake, what needs to be done during an earthquake and what needs to be done after the earthquake.
"We faced a great destruction in the earthquake on August 17, 1999. A tax called special communication tax was introduced at that time to ensure that precautions were taken. The tax has become permanent. It is known that, with this tax, over 65 billion lira have been collected in our country.
"When we ask you what you have done with this money, we are almost accused of being traitors by the executive. Aren't we supposed to ask what you have done with all this money?
"We see that neither the necessary precautions have been taken, nor have the necessary works been undertaken in constructing buildings. They are paving the way for illicit and unlicensed buildings. A commission must be set up immediately. There is a need for a commission to investigate what to do before, during and after an earthquake."
Şeker: You cannot evade it by saying 'It is the will of God'
CHP İstanbul MP Ali Şeker stated the following about the motion:
"The AKP-MHP MPs do not feel the earthquake in Ankara. People have sent you here to do your job. We submitted a motion, thinking that when an earthquake hits the country, great catastrophes will ensue. This motion was rejected by the votes of both groups.
"Money was collected in the wake of 1999 earthquake. What could have been done with this money? Over 1 million houses could have been built, people could have been accommodated there. And what did you do? What did you do with this money that was collected for earthquakes? The people are expecting an explanation from you.
"You cannot evade it by saying that 'it is the will of God.' You can save neither yourselves, nor this country. The way to prevent this is to lend an ear to what scientists say. Please give an affirmative vote to the motions submitted today. Pay your debt to this people."
Türkkan: You have made a present of earthquake assembly areas
"In the wake of 1999 earthquake, the coalition government of the time took very serious precautions. They introduced an earthquake tax. They declared 496 earthquake assembly areas.
"But, after you came to power, these areas have whetted your appetite. You have approached these areas as places where you can derive unearned income. You have built shopping malls on 419 of these areas. For instance, Zorlu Shopping Mall used to be an earthquake assembly area. Zaman newspaper used to be an earthquake assembly area as well. You have made a present of these areas. It is an issue above politics."
AKP has rejected, saying 'We will do it if necessary'
In explaining why they rejected the motions, AKP Deputy Group Chair Bülent Turan stated the following in brief:
"We will set a common ground of consensus, we will discuss it and do it if there is a need. (...) Earthquake is not an issue which will be a matter of applause or a matter of political debates.
"This rejection is procedural and nothing but a technical issue. Our Parliament currently has several commissions, you already know that. We proposed joint motions on several issues till today and set up commissions of investigation accordingly. (...) If it is a need, we will evaluate it again. We will take this step together. There is no harm in that."
CLICK - 'What Happened to 34 Billion Dollar Earthquake Tax?'
(EKN/SD)