In response to the escalating violence and hate speech against Syrians in Türkiye, Syrian human rights groups and campaigners are urgently calling for protection from violent police raids, forced deportations and racist groups.
Thousands of Syrians have been forced to return to Syria over the past months where they risk arbitrary arrest, detention, torture and other human rights abuses. The steep rise in deportations back to Syria follow signs that Ankara is moving to normalize diplomatic relations with the Assad regime.
Danger of targeted attacks increased yesterday when personal data of millions of Syrians in Türkiye were leaked on Telegram.
In northwest Syria, the Turkish authorities and Turkish-backed factions have cut off internet connection and launched a campaign to arrest those who took to the streets on Monday to protest against the attacks on refugees. Activists on the ground reported that at least eight protesters have been killed and many injured.
Mariam, A Syrian refugee in Gaziantep, Türkiye said:
“I am living in constant fear in Gaziantep with my four daughters. The situation is terrifying. We can’t even step out to buy bread. Our food supply at home is dwindling, and I am unable to work to provide for my children. My husband disappeared into Assad regime detention 10 years ago and I’m the only provider in the family. Despite having a Turkish residence permit, I fear being arrested and deported. My children have no relatives in Syria—half of our family is in Europe, while the rest are either imprisoned or deceased. Where will they deport us? We have no home and no support.”
Bassam Alahmad of Syrians for Truth and Justice, a Syrian human rights group, said:
“By deporting thousands of refugees to unsafe Syria, where human rights violations are ongoing and the rule of law is absent, Türkiye is violating its commitment to international law, specifically the principle of prohibiting the forced return of refugees to a war zone or to areas where there is real danger and persecution.”
Walid Osman, a journalist in northwest Syria said:
“The internet has been cut off by Türkiye since Monday. We feel isolated from the world and unable to do our work and update civilians on bombing sites so that they take the necessary measures. Idlib is under bombardment by Assad’s forces this morning and we need the internet to tell the truth about what’s happening, but instead, we are being punished for demanding our basic rights.”
Afraa Hashem of The Syria Campaign said:
“Syrians in Türkiye fear for their lives and their loved ones. Many are hiding in their homes in fear of being arrested, attacked or stabbed in the streets. The inhumane deportations and the violence against Syrians has reached unprecedented levels but for years, the xenophobic rhetoric from some Turkish politicians has blamed refugees for the economic crisis in the country, resulting in rising hate speech and disinformation. It is dangerous and it kills.”
We Exist, an alliance of Syrian civil society organizations said in a joint statement today:
“We call on the Turkish government to fulfill its national and international commitments related to protecting human rights, especially the rights of refugees and displaced persons on its territory. We also urge the Turkish government to adhere to the principle of non-refoulement, especially since Syria, in the current situation, is not safe for the return of millions of Syrian refugees, as confirmed by reports from the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic (COI-Syria) regarding the ongoing gross human rights violations in Syria. This highlights the urgent need to protect Syrian refugees and displaced persons from being subjected to these harsh and dangerous conditions.”
“Furthermore, we call on the Turkish government to take immediate measures to protect Syrians in Türkiye and ensure their basic rights and dignity. We also urge the Turkish government and the international community to work together to provide necessary support to refugees and displaced persons, ensure a safe and dignified life for them within the country, and find practical, comprehensive solutions to alleviate the suffering of Syrians and address the impacts of the Syrian refugee crisis in Türkiye.”
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