CYIL vol. 14 (2023)

ELMIRA LYAPINA

CYIL 14 (2023)

EARTHQUAKES IN TÜRKIYE AS A VIOLATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS: ROLE AND POSITION OF THE ECTHR Elmira Lyapina Abstract: This article deals with the position of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) on the violation of human rights within the context of the earthquakes in Türkiye, particularly the role of judgments (decisions, rulings, and opinions) of the ECtHR and their subsequent enforcement in the country. The article examines the overall approach of the European court to natural disasters in regard to violations of human rights from the side of state authorities, considering the landmark cases. The article then deliberates the possible implementation of previous practice in contemporary situations and further steps to restore the balance of human rights. Resumé: Zemětřesení v Turecku jako porušování lidských práv: role a postavení Evropské ho soudu pro lidská práva (ESLP). Tento článek se zabývá postojem ESLP k porušování lid ských práv v kontextu zemětřesení v Turecku, v neposlední řadě rolí rozsudků (rozhodnutí, nálezů a stanovisek) ESLP a jejich následného výkonu v zemi. Článek zkoumá celkový pří stup ESLP k přírodním katastrofám s ohledem porušování lidských práv ze strany státních orgánů s ohledem na význačná rozhodnutí. Článek se dále zabývá možnou implementací předchozí praxe do současných situacích a dalšími kroky k obnovení rovnováhy lidských práv. Key words: Türkiye; ECtHR; earthquakes; natural disasters; human rights About the Author : Elmira Lyapina, Ph.D., LL.M. is a researcher and lecturer at the University of New York in Prague. 1. Introduction Amid the close surveillance of the presidential elections in Türkiye, their impact on the democratic development of the country as well as their role in the development of relations with other democratic European states, and the high importance of the evolving concept of international climate law, Türkiye’s approach in dealing with earthquakes within the frame of human rights deserves closer attention. In February 2023, the south-central region of Türkiye, near the border with the northwestern part of the Syrian Arab Republic, was hit by two devastating earthquakes. Although this region is known to be earthquake-prone, and the residents of these areas are familiar with them, these particular earthquakes and their associated aftershock sequences brought an unprecedented disaster and massive destruction, with fatalities in the thousands across both countries and damages to essential infrastructure, including health facilities. The death toll in Türkiye exceeded 50.000 people. In total, eleven of Türkiye’s provinces, with a total population of more than 15 million, now lie in ruins of urban and rural structures. 1 An estimated 9 million people have been directly affected by the earthquakes, 2 1 Türkiye/Syria earthquake joint situation report No. 3 – 20 April 2023 ; United Nations Population Fund. https:// www.unfpa.org/resources/T%C3%BCrkiyesyria-earthquake-joint-situation-report-3-20-april-2023. 2 Türkiye earthquake: External situation report No.8: 17–30 April 2023 ; World Health Organization. https://www. who.int/europe/publications/i/item/WHO-EURO-2023-7145-46911-69358.

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