'Sending Syrians Back a Crime Against Humanity'

*Photo: AA/Archive

Click to read the article in Turkish / Kurdish

Reports on the deportation of Syrians who flee from their country to Turkey because of the war have been on the headlines in the last few days.

The Governorship of İstanbul said yesterday (July 22) that Syrians who are registered in different cities but stay in İstanbul will have to go to their registered cities until August 20. The Minister of Interior süleyman Soylu said today that about 80 thousand Syrians will be deported this year.

While the concern is growing among the Syrians, refugee organizations criticize deportations.

So, why are the Syrians, who were considered to be granted citizenship not long ago, now began to be deported and what will the deportations lead to? We asked these questions to lawyer Eda Bekçi from the Mülteci-Der.

CLICK - Interior Minister Announces 80 Thousand People to be Deported This Year

Bekçi says deportations are not happening for the first time and often happens in İzmir, where illegal crossing is high.

"There, both Syrians and other refugees are detained and deported. But especially Syrians are being deported with consent recently. Because Syria is a war zone, Syrians cannot be extradited there. There is only one way to do this: Them giving consent.

"But we think that refugees sign the documents of consent under pressure. Many of [the refugees] state this. They are forced to deportation by giving fingerprints while being handcuffed, by the threats to be under long administrative detention, or being said 'Go now, you can come back later anyway.'

"But when they go to Syria and come back, they face not being granted temporary protection and bans from entering the country."

CLICK - İstanbul Governorship Sets Deadline of August 20 for Syrians to Leave

Bekçi says deportations will cause great problems such as division of families.

"These people are here for seven or eight years and they have order here. Adult males are being sent to Syria but their families and children stay here. Families split up.

"Deportation directly violates the Geneva Convention which Turkey is a party to and the Law on Foreigners and Protection.

"Article 4 of the Law on Foreigners and International Protection says people who face oppression or death in their countries cannot be sent back. This is the building block of the Geneva Convention. Violation of this means the countries violate basic human rights. Syria is still a war zone. Sending people to war zones is a crime against humanity.

"Besides, being involved in crime is not a reason for deportation on its own. There are other conditions that need to emerge. Moreover, even if one commits a crime against humanity or a heavy judicial crime, he or she cannot be sent back to a warzone.

"European countries discriminate against both Syrians and other refugees. They close their borders.

"If Turkey continues these policies, where will they go? Right now, humanity is committing a big crime.

"These people are being used as political leverage rather than being seen as a value." (RT/EKN/VK)