Doc. 8562
4 October 1999

Application of seismic-protection legislation

Motion for a recommendation

presented by Ms Pozza Tasca and others

This motion has not been discussed in the Assembly and commits only the members who have signed it

The Assembly,

1.       Given that the earthquakes which hit Turkey and Greece highlighted the fact that the seismic-protection legislation for buildings had not been complied with,

2.       Noting that the risk of an earthquake assuming catastrophic dimensions is growing steadily because of both population growth and the destabilisation of the ground and infrastructures in major cities,

3.       Considering that the international conference on earthquake prediction held in Strasbourg from 15 to 18 October 1991 under the auspices of the Council of Europe called on states to implement a range of measures to prepare for and cope with possible earthquakes through the use of seismic-protection materials in the building industry,

4.       Noting that, despite the seismic-protection legislation which many European countries have passed, the law is not always complied with when it comes to building new homes, and it was such homes which were first to collapse, both in Turkey and in Greece,

5.       Given that the huge loss of human life caused, not by the earthquakes, but by a failure to comply with building standards, constitutes a flagrant violation of human rights,

6.       Therefore recommends that the Committee of Ministers adopt an earthquake protection plan providing for the adoption of a European code of ethics which lays down seismic-protection parameters, for the application of which each state will have to provide,

7.       Also recommends that Council of Europe member states be encouraged to draw up national legislation which:

      a. gives specific tasks to local bodies relating to the preparation and implementation of seismic-protection measures in the building industry,

      b. provides for specific verification of the conditions of application of the law, as well as for the adoption of measures to eliminate delays and failures to take action,

      c. promotes the imposition of tougher penalties on anyone not complying with the law,

      d. introduces the offence of negligent homicide in case there are earthquake victims who would not have been victims if seismic-protection standards had been complied with, as was the case in Turkey and in Greece.

Signed : ¹

Pozza Tasca, Italy, LDR

Aguiar, Portugal, EPP/CD

Belohorska, Slovakia, EDG

Diana, Italy, EPP/CD

Gross, Switzerland, SOC

Gülek, Turkey, NR

Mignon, France, EDG

Polenta, Italy, EPP/CD

Robol, Italy, EPP/CD

Squarcialupi, Italy, SOC

Staes, Belgium, EPP/CD

¹        SOC: Socialist Group

      EPP/CD: Group of the European People’s Party

      EDG: European Democratic Group

      LDR : Liberal, Democratic and Reformers’ Group

      UEL: Group of the Unified European Left

      NR: not registered in a group