'We are concerned that attacks on refugees may continue'

A damage shop cordoned off by police.

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The Human Rights Association (İHD) has denounced the attacks on Syrian refugees that took place on August 11 and 12 in the capital city of Ankara.

The authorities should carry out an effective investigation into both those who attacked refugees' homes, shops and cars and those who used hate speech against refugees, it said in a written statement.

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The statement includes observations of an İHD team that visited Önder Neighborhood in Altındağ district on August 12.

"Shops and homes have been damaged, some shops have been covered with a tarp and extensive damage has been observed in some of them. It has been seen that [Turkish] flags were put on some houses in refugees' living quarters for protection against possible attacks and there were people who hung flags on some shops.

"It has been observed that even though the main streets of Battalgazi and Önder neighborhoods are partially opened for vehicle traffic, almost all crossings from streets to alleys are closed with police barricades and there is an intense police presence at the entrances of streets and alleys."

The government and the opposition

Noting that discriminatory and hate speech against refugees have not been effectively investigated in the country, the İHD said both the government and the opposition were responsible for the attacks.

While the government's "instrumentalized" refugees with its policies, the opposition portrays them as a burden, it said.

"Portraying refugees/asylum seekers/migrants as responsible for the poverty and unemployment in Turkey makes them exposed to hate speech and vulnerable to attacks.

"As a result of the enmity towards refugees becoming more and more common, we are concerned that mass attacks like in Altındağ may continue.

"Refugees/asylum seekers and migrants are people who had to flee wars, poverty and dangers that threaten their lives ... Being a refugee is not a cause, it is a tragic result."

The politicians are obliged to leave instrumentalizing, racist and discriminatory discourse and establish a humane migration policy, said the association. (AS/VK)