March 11, 2002
On February 28, the International Federations of Iranian and Iraqi Refugees have initiated a campaign against the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees' (UNHCR) anti-refugee policies and in defence of thousands of Iraqi, Iranian and Afghan refugees and asylum seekers in Turkey.
Living Conditions
Thousands of refugees and asylum seekers are living in inhuman conditions in Turkey. They do not receive any financial support from the UNHCR and are denied access to free health care while their claims are being determined, a process that could take several years. Even those eventually recognised by the UNHCR do not automatically get financial assistance. Add to this the fact that asylum seekers and refugees are denied the right to work in Turkey and the tragedy becomes all the more clear. As a result of these policies, asylum seekers and refugees are faced with dire poverty, serious health risks, hunger and homelessness.
Legal Status
Upon entry to Turkey, asylum seekers are divided into two groups. Those without documents are forced to register themselves and live in towns bordering countries from which they have fled. Fear of being kidnapped by Islamic states and groups, deported back to persecution, and brutalised by the Turkish police are main concerns of refugees and asylum seekers. Those arriving with documentation are transferred to central towns surrounding Ankara. All refugees and asylum seekers are denied freedom of movement or the right to choose city of residence. They are denied the right to organise and protest; activists, especially those linked with the International Federations who become known to the authorities are often harassed and threatened. The UNHCR benefits from the dispersal policy of refugees which impedes the right to expression and association. Often times, it is the UNHCR that informs the authorities of refugee protests which are then met with violence, arrests, and even deportations.
Determination Procedures
Asylum seekers must register with the Turkish authorities within ten days of arrival otherwise they will be deemed 'illegal' by the government. They must also register with the UNHCR; the UNHCR and government determine status separately. Since non-European asylum seekers and refugees cannot reside permanently in Turkey, they are only issued temporary stay permits. Those recognised are resettled to safer third countries.
Determination procedures are extremely long. Those who register with the UNHCR wait for approximately 4-6 months to be interviewed in the first instance. At best, a decision is reached on their claim in another 6 months. Most first instance decisions are rejections. The UNHCR does not provide reasons for rejection, making it impossible for asylum seekers to defend their claims. After appeal, asylum seekers have to wait another several months for a second interview. IFIR knows of a number of cases that are waiting from one to two years for a second interview. Often times, case files are closed without a second interview. During this time, the UNHCR does not respond to calls or letters of asylum seekers nor advises them on reasons for these delays. The UNHCR's legal officers, translators and staff generally treat asylum seekers with contempt.
Join our Campaign
There are innumerable other examples of rightlessness in Turkey. This intolerable situation must change. We have often witnessed governments and the UNHCR backing down under the face of international pressure. Once again, we must send the UNHCR a barrage of faxes and protest letters demanding that they respect refugee and asylum rights in Turkey. Undoubtedly, this support and solidarity of organisations, individuals, labour union and parties, will bring about critical changes.