“At a time when our nation is trying to overcome this heavy scourge, it is regrettable that some political circles and individuals focus on their political interests by worrying about their success,” HÜDA PAR (Free Cause Party) spokesperson Serkan Ramanlı said.

Stating that the Kahramanmaraş-centered earthquakes that took place on February 6, 2023, affected a very wide area, Ramanlı noted that tens of thousands of citizens lost their lives and more than a hundred thousand people were injured in the earthquakes that were described as a disaster of the century and caused great destruction.

Ramanlı stated that more than 13 million people were directly affected by the earthquakes that shook 11 provinces, and the remaining millions were indirectly affected.

“It is regrettable that some individuals focus on their political interests at a time when our nation is trying to overcome this heavy calamity.”

Pointing out that the shock created by this great disaster that left humanity incapable has not been overcome yet, Ramanlı said: “We are going through a very difficult process in which our citizens and nation who lost their relatives cannot find the power and strength to grieve. It is regrettable that some political circles and individuals focused on their political interests by worrying about their success at a time when our nation was trying to overcome this heavy disaster. The shelter and nutrition problems of our earthquake survivors have not been resolved. While millions of our people are trying to hold on to life under very difficult conditions, trying to take advantage of the calamity that is experienced does not fit into humanity, conscience or morality.”

Ramanlı said: “It is the top priority to meet the basic needs of our citizens affected by the earthquake, especially shelter, food, clothing, health, and education. In our opinion, this is the biggest political service right now. In this process, we invite all components of the political establishment to be more sensitive and return to the earthquake agenda. We invite all political parties to support the non-governmental organizations that are trying to heal the wounds of our people in every way, not to engage them in unnecessary bureaucratic procedures, and to show maximum sensitivity in covering the wounds of our people.”

“It is a great mistake to display the dark figures of the 90s in the stadium”

Regarding the incidents that happened during a match between Bursaspor and Amedspor, Ramanlı said:

“In these days when we cannot fully face the painful balance of the earthquake disaster we have been through, the whole country should be in an effort to heal the wounds. Despite this, the fascist attitude towards Amedspor in a football match in Bursa and the brutal violence shown by reminding the traumatic figures and symbols of the past is inexplicable. At a time when ten of our cities were almost in ruins, tens of thousands of people died under the rubble and millions of people left their homes, the attacks on the football team of the earthquake-affected city of Diyarbakir showed that there is not enough fight against racism in Turkey.

It is a great mistake that the dark figures of the 90s were displayed in the stadium and that the security forces failed to intervene in violence.  The deepening of existing social wounds and the planting of new seeds of hatred should never be allowed. Political and bureaucratic mechanisms should isolate and purge these racist tendencies from society with all their elements.  This country can only survive with solidarity and can be revived with the consolidation of brotherhood. As a state and society, it is necessary to learn from the events of the past and to take precautions so that the dark events that have been recorded as a black mark in history do not happen again.  Otherwise, it will not be possible to end the tension in society. Those who were negligent in the racist incidents that took place in Bursa and those who shared their praises should be determined as soon as possible and brought to account before the judiciary.” (ILKHA)