Paper details

Paper authors	Fatma Özdoğan
In panel on	‘Real’ Humanitarian Governance: Accountability, Advocacy, and Alternatives
Paper presenter(s) will be presenting	In-Person / Online

Abstract

The February 2023 Southeastern Anatolia earthquakes caused extensive destruction and loss of life across eleven provinces in Türkiye. In response, families who lost relatives initiated legal actions demanding accountability. This study investigates how responsibility is defined and contested within these judicial processes. Using critical discourse analysis, the research draws from two focus group discussions with affected families, primarily members of the Families Seeking Justice Platform. It also examines 230 documents, including parliamentary records, policy documents, expert reports, academic publications, press releases, and court materials. The analysis focuses on how affected families, government officials, and technical experts articulate and challenge narratives about accountability for the lost and destruction. Findings highlight the significant influence of prolonged judicial processes, solidarity among affected families, and expert testimonies in shaping public perceptions of responsibility. Theoretically, this study enhances our understanding of disasters by examining how different groups interpret and define disaster events through competing responsibility narratives. Practically, it underscores the necessity of governance frameworks that effectively respond to survivors' demands for justice and accountability. Future research could further explore community-based justice initiatives and their impact on disaster policy.

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