As President of the European Committee of Social Rights, I would like to convey my deepest sympathy and solidarity with the people of Türkiye and Syria following the earthquake of 6 February 2023.

The loss of life has been vast and the earthquake’s social and economic consequences will affect millions of people over the coming months and years. In addition to the human loss, huge numbers of people have seen the destruction of their homes and their belongings, with some facing destitution and/or displacement.

The situation poses a grave threat to the enjoyment of fundamental social rights as guaranteed by the European Social Charter, including the right to housing, the right to protection of health, the right to social and medical assistance, and the rights to social, legal and economic protection of children and the family. Emergency assistance, healthcare and shelter (including access to water, heating, waste disposal, sanitation facilities and electricity) must be provided immediately, while longer-term housing of an adequate standard and other infrastructure and services will have to be put in place as soon as possible.

The earthquake and its impacts underline the importance of the Charter’s core value of solidarity. They reinforce the basic principle enshrined in Part I of the Charter, according to which “the Parties accept as the aim of their policy, to be pursued by all appropriate means both national and international in character, the attainment of conditions in which the rights and principles set forth by the Charter may be effectively realised”. In the context of the earthquake and its aftermath, this principle denotes a duty of international assistance and cooperation that is incumbent on each and every State Party to the Charter, so as to enable the attainment of conditions in which the rights of a very large number of extremely vulnerable people are effectively secured. As States Parties respond to the earthquake, it should be recalled in particular that the basic social rights of refugees must be respected wherever they are and at all times, so as to ensure dignity for all.

I invite the States Parties to the European Social Charter to consider how they can assist the affected countries and support their people in overcoming the devastation of this disaster, having regard to the standards set out in the European Social Charter and the case law of the European Committee of Social Rights.