“They Must Push Us to Sea to Rid of Us”

Around 100 families with Roma background have been left homeless in Istanbul’s Ataşehir district this early morning after municipal bulldozers demolished their cabins. 8 years ago, they have lost their houses due to urban renewal projects in the area. 

“Let them push us to the waterfront to totally rid of us. What difference does it make now?” Norman Dalkoparan said. 

The demolition area was located adjacent to a water storage in Kayışdağı, a complex surrounded by blocks of condos. 

The demolition occurred around 5am in local time where the cabin owners were reportedly not allowed to evict their belongings prior to snow storm warnings in Istanbul. 

“They don’t accept gipsy tenants”

Neriman Dalkoparan moved to the area after her house was demolished in Küçükbakkalköy in 2006.

“We had a cabin back there. We lived their for 30 years, one day they tore down down our house, saying that we don’t have its papers. We lived in this one for 8 years. I don’t know if anybody takes a bath in plastic containers, but we do. Now we are kicked out. We don’t have any belongings."

Saying that she has been looking for an apartment for a month, Dalkoparan said the following: “We have searched so far, they don’t accept gipsy tenants. They either say it is rented out or they rise up prices,” she said. 

Then she pulled her ID. “Read,” she said. 

“Where am I from? Istanbul. We are kids of Istanbul, but nobody sees the poor of Istanbul. They must push us to the sea to rid of us. What difference does it make now?"

“What if one of the babies were stuck under the debris. Thank God, we are still alive..." she continued. 

Nuray Demir, on the other hand, said that the textbooks of children were lost under the debris. One of her daughters has a university degree and her other five children are still studying. She already sent to other relatives, so that they would stay warm. However, they were unable to go to school today. And nobody knows what will happen next. 

Government must provide social housing 

Nebahat Bilgiç, chairperson at a Roma people rights advocacy association  (Anadolu Yakası Romanları Yaşatma ve Kalkındırma Derneği), told bianet that they have been struggling to provide social housing for the people for six months by meeting AKP officials in Ankara. 

Bilgiç urged officials to bring a resolution to the issue by providing social housing. 

On the other hand, officials from Family and Social Policies Ministry came to the demolition area, pledging rent aids if families found a place to live. However, they remained uncertain on whether the government can provide them social housing. 

Roma people said that they have been looking for an apartment but they were refused due to their Roma background. 

Ataşehir Municipality: We can’t prevent the demolition 

bianet also reached Ataşehir Municipality’s Press Officer Cafer Özilhan. 

“24 houses were demolished. Neither the property nor the demolition order came from us. Only police and municipal teams were assigned for security reasons. A municipality can’t legally prevent a demolition. People didn’t submit any request for lodging either,” he said. 

In the end, Roma people are looking for a shelter and help now. It is obvious where they are, but where they will end up is still uncertain. (NV/BM)

* Click here to read the article in Turkish.