The Barrel Brief: Environmental Law Overhauled

In March 2006, arguably the biggest environmental scandal to date in Turkey occurred. Upon an anonymous tip, the authorities discovered hundreds of barrels buried illegally by a creek in the district of Tuzla, İstanbul. The barrels contained various types of poisonous and hazardous chemical substances. Subsequent investigations pointed towards high profile industrial companies as the culprits with the public and the Government strongly reacting to the scandal. However, the damage was done and those responsible could hardly be punished due to procedural issues. The scandal heightened the Government’s, as well as the public’s, sensitivities to environmental issues and served to raise awareness regarding the need to update Turkey’s environmental legislation.