Our press statement titled as “The Examination of Europe With Syrian Refugees” has been released to the public at a press conference held in the center of association by lawyer Metin Kutlubay, one of the administrators of UHIM.
Millions of people have had to leave their houses and country since the year 2011 in which the Syrian Civil War started. The number of refugees has increased as the chaos became deeper, resulting in big waves of migration. Syrian refugees migrated to neighbouring countries such as Turkey, Jordan, Iraq and Lebanon in the first years of the war. It is estimated that the forementioned countries host more than 5 million Syrian refugees, approximately 3 million of whom are hosted in Turkey.
Syrian refugees have tried to take refugee in the European countries as of 2015; however, this has brought along a troublesome process. After their formidable journey to Europe which caused death of thousands of refugees, they have faced as many as difficulties in their destination countries in Europe.
Our report titled as “The Examination of Europe With Syrian Refugees” deals with the problems that Syrian refugees faced during and after the migration. In this report, the problems of refugees are listed under ten different titles with reference to the primary news published by the national and international media organs, particularly European media companies.
The outcomes we attained following the searches are listed by title as follows:
Laws and regulations: The laws and regulations that are implemented with regard to Syrian refugees in Europe include considerably strict conditions. The European countries impose high visa restrictions on refugees and ethnic-religious identity of whom plays an important role in getting entry permission; for instance, the criteria of being istian plays a determining role in Germany, Austria, Czech Republic and Slovakia.
Statements of politicians: European politicians frequently make offending and insulting statements in their speeches about Syrian refugees and they feel free to use the language of racism and anti-Islam. The definition of the wave of migration from the Middle East as ‘Arab invasion’ by Pope Francis, the president of Czech Republic Milos Zeman’s likening his situation in the face of the refugees to a tourist taking the photo of tsunami wave oncoming are just two of the examples.
Seizing the assets of the refugees: The assets of the Syrian refugees who take shelter in European countries are first seized by human smugglers and gangs and then by the European countries themselves. In the countries that legalize this situation such as Switzerland, Germany and Denmark, the assets (money or valuable) with them over the amount of respectively 1000 Swiss francs, 750 Euros and 10.000 crowns are seized.
Negative conditions in the refugee camps: Most of the refugee camps in Europe are proved not to be carry the minimum conditions essential to human life with respect to sanitary and security measures according to the studies conducted by the European non-governmental and governmental organizations. This situation contrasts with the economic conditions of the European countries and leaves the refugees vulnerable to physical and sexual attacks.
The attitude of Media: European media organizations make use of highly exclusionary and negative language towards Syrian refugees. Thousands of refugees are wholly associated with terror and sexual harassment activities resulting in arising a negative perception in public opinion. Media played a primary role in creating the perception that the refugees are perverts in Germany. Hence Charlie Hebro, a French satirical weekly magazine, felt free to caricature and make fun of the refugee baby whose dead body came ashore.
Racist and Islamophobic attacks: The Syrian refugees in Europe are under threat in terms of safety of life and property. The refugee camps are set on fire and racist and Islamophobic attacks against Syrian refugees are carried out in Europe almost everyday. 800 attacks against refugee camps are carried out in Germany only in 2015 and in Bulgaria armed gangs go ‘hunting’ refugees.
Human trafficking, sexual harassment and rape: Human trafficking, prostitution and organ mafia in Europe pose a big problem for Syrian refugees. The enquiries reveals that tens of thousands of Syrian child are lost, Syrian women are the target of the prostitution and the organ mafia poses a big risk for the Syrian refugees. According to the datas of the Europol, the European Police Office, more than 10.000 refugee child are lost after their arrival to Europe as of 2014.
Physical violence, insults and ill-treatment: Syrian refugees die the death in open seas, are waiting under inhuman conditions on the borders, being arrested for ordinary reasons and being exposed to ill-treatment and torment. The scenes that the Greek forces sinked the boats carrying Syrian refugees on purpose are verified by the witnesses. The systematic mistreatment of police forces in European countries such as Macedonia, Hungary, Serbia against the refugees are reported by the UN authorities.
Considering these facts, as UHIM International Center for Watching Violations of Rights, we say:
Delaying the European-centered political resolution process regarding the end of the Syrian Civil War underpins the hardships that milions of Syrians are going through. At this point, European countries must abondon the interest-oriented political approach. The civil war and chaos environment must be stopped enabling the Syrians return to their homes.
PRESS RELEASE / Thursday, May 5, 2016
International Center for Watching Violation of Rights