Turkish minister vows to ‘remove’ all establishments cutting public access to shores

Duvar English

Turkish Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change Minister Mehmet Özhaseki on June 18 vowed to “remove” all establishments cutting public access to shores.

In a written statement, the ministry first said they conduct inspections on “occupations and illegal constructions that prevent citizens from freely using the coasts and accessing the shore” within the scope of the Seas Are for the People project.

Özhaseki then said, “We will remove all elements that prevent our citizens from accessing the sea.”

He said that they were identifying “illegal structures and occupations that prevent our citizens from accessing the sea” in all beaches.

The coasts in Turkey are open to the equal and free use of public constitutionally. 

The Article 43 of the Constitution reads, “The coasts are under the authority and disposal of the State. In the utilization of sea coasts, lake shores or river banks, and of the coastal strip along the sea and lakes, public interest shall be taken into consideration with priority. The width of coasts and coastal strips according to the purpose of utilization and the conditions of utilization by individuals shall be determined by law.”

However, citizens often encounter enclosed “private” beaches or shores in holiday resorts and coastal provinces, such as Istanbul.

A known example, the Peninsula Hotel in Istanbul is often criticized for closing the shore to public.