Human rights activist rallied in the southern province of Antep to show their support and urge authorities to protect the growing number of refugees from Syria. “Don’t touch my Syrian brother,” they shouted.
Some of the notable organizations included Human Rights Association (IHD), Labor Party (EMEP), People’s Democratic Party (HDP), Freedom and Solidarity Party (ÖDP). They shouted slogans including : “Hold AKP Accountable, Not Syrians”, “Long Live Sisterhood of Peoples” and “Shoulder to Shoulder Against Fascism”.
EMEP’s Antep Province Chairman Mecit Bozkurt said the following:
"No matter for what reason, whatever has been done is racism and a hate crime. Antep has always been a city where different faiths and peoples coexisted peacefully.
“Even though Antep has been one of Turkey’s most industrial and wealthiest cities, it is facing a tremendous social turmoil as the war-stricken Syrian arrived in the middle of poverty and misery of workers.
“Rents have skyrocketed. The wages of Antep resident workers were only to fill their stomach. However, the rent hikes, which extends to 200 percent, have been a big issue for Antep residents. Contractor have taken the advantage of Syrian people’s housing problem and deepened the misery of Antep residents.
“Many sectors employ Syrian workers illegally and with low wages. The misery and slave-like working of Syrians is used against Antep resident workers. Syrian women and girls are sexually abused and forced to prostitution through concubinage. Instead of taking action, local authorities are putting a blind eye on this savage abuse.
“Lately, Antep residents have expressed their frustration in a series of incidents. There have been some lynch attempts on refugees for incidents related to Syrians individuals or non-related cases. No matter for what reason, whatever has been done is racism and a hate crime. Antep has always been a city where different faiths and peoples coexisted peacefully.” (ÇT/BM)
* Click here to read the article in Turkish.
