Refugees in Edirne and İstanbul Bus Terminals

Syrian refugees in Turkey are waiting on the roads and in the bus terminals in order to reach Europe. 

We went to Esenler Bus Terminal of İstanbul and saw many refugees waiting there. Riot policemen were waiting in front of the Cumhuriyet Mosque in the terminal and they weren’t allowing refugees to enter the mosque with back packs and handbags. 

Refugees want the gates to be opened 

* Edirne Bus Terminal

Refugees tell they couldn’t make a living in Turkey and they wanted to go Europe. Everyone in the terminal from terminal employees to passengers talk about the refugees.

Asylum seekers don’t seem overreacted against Turkey, they just want the gates to be opened.

Passengers’ reactions against refugees

Voices increase at the entrance of bus terminal when the passengers see the refugees… Some say “Well, refugees want to go Europe as if they were going to be looked after much better by European Government than Turkey’s Government,” blaming the refugees. Others emphasize an uncertain future awaits the refugees.

Officials whom bianet talked to said even the gates were open for refugees they wouldn’t be allowed to enter Europe. (BK/BD)

* Photo Credit: Beyza Kural / Edirne-İstanbul / bia

 Click here to read the article in Turkish