Turkey’s opposition to move for recognition of Ankara terror victims as ‘martyrs’

ANKARA

DHA Photo

Turkey’s Republican People’s Party (CHP) plans to take a parliamentary move for recognition of the victims in the Oct. 10 double suicide bombings in Ankara that killed at least 97 people as “martyrs” in a bid to provide support for their families left behind.

CHP leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, speaking in an interview with private Halk TV channel late on Oct. 12, noted that over 100 people had lost their limbs during the attack.

“Today, I instructed my friends. We will table a proposal for consideration of these [victims] as martyrs because the families of those who lost their lives due to terror should also get use of privileges provided for martyrs’ [families] and veterans,” Kılıçdaroğlu said.

“Since we have declared a [state of] national mourning, we will call on all parties [that] we, the state, should protect those children’s families and these people who have become disabled and have difficulty in obtaining prosthetic [limbs],” he added. 

Currently, within the scope of Law No. 5233 on the Compensation of Damages Resulting from Terrorism and the Fight against Terrorism, the damages of citizens who are victims of terrorism are compensated. Under Law No. 6353 and Law No. 6495, employment rights in the public services and salaries are provided for citizens who are victims of terrorism.

Deputy Prime Minister Numan Kurtulmuş, speaking at a press conference late on Oct. 12 while a cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu was still ongoing, referred to Law No. 5233.

“In the face of this picture, both [those] who lost their lives and their families as well as those who have been injured, are really victims of terror. Fulfillment of whatever the law requires within Law No. 5233 in regards to families of those who died and those who have been disabled due to terror attacks has come on the agenda at the Council of Ministers meeting. The Labor and Social Security Ministry has been tasked on this issue,” Kurtulmuş said.

Accordingly, the families of the victims will be put on salary, the related procedure for disabled people will be swiftly completed, the families of victims and disabled people will be employed in the public sector and fellowships will be provided for their children, Kurtulmuş added.