Bolu municipal council passes discriminatory arrangements against foreign nationals

* Photo: Anadolu Agency (AA)

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Sparking criticisms with his racist and sexist remarks, Bolu Mayor Tanju Özcan from the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) proposed some arrangements discriminating against foreign nationals.

The related arrangements passed the Municipal Council of Bolu province by a majority of votes yesterday (November 22).

The 2nd November meeting of the Bolu Municipal Council was chaired by Bolu Mayor Tanju Özcan, who had brought up his proposals to charge foreign nationals residing in the province 100 thousand lira for a marriage ceremony and to increase their water bills by 10-fold.

Discussing these discriminatory proposals, the majority of the Bolu Municipal Council have voted in favor, which means that foreign nationals will have their marriage ceremonies performed for 100 thousand lira in Bolu and a cubic meter of water will cost 2.5 USD for them.

As reported by the state-run Anadolu Agency (AA), the ruling People's Alliance of the AKP and MHP voted against the arrangements while the opposition Nation's Alliance of the CHP and İYİ Party voted in favor.

Bolu Mayor Tanju Özcan spoke to the press after the meeting. Referring to the water bills, Özcan said that the related amendment does apply to those who get a residence permit as per the Law no. 4658:

"It does not apply to the ones who are in the refugee or migrant status according to the Geneva Convention or to the refugees in temporary protection of the United Nations (UN). In other words, it only applies to those who have received a residence permit in Bolu."

Referring to the current exchange rates, Özcan said that the money to be paid by foreign nationals for water is "11 times more than the normal tariff." According to the Mayor, the money to be paid for water bills will be specified based on the current exchange rate and it will be paid in lira.

Discrimination against refugees

In late July 2021, Bolu Mayor Tanju Özcan announced that a 10-fold increase would be introduced to the water bills and solid waste taxes of foreign nationals so that refugees will leave Bolu. His proposal has been accepted by a majority of votes at the municipal council.

The Bolu Chief Public Prosecutor's Office has launched an investigation against Özcan, bringing possible charges of "misconduct in office" and "hate and discrimination" against him over this announcement.

Shortly after he took office following the local elections on March 31, 2019, he also gave an instruction to cut the aid offered to refugees. (KÖ/SD)