Appeals Committee on Lesbos stops deportations to Turkey

PRO ASYL calls for an end to the inhuman large-scale experiment in the Aegean – stop deportations to Turkey!   

Yesterday night three positive decisions by the Administrative Appeals Committee of Lesbos were published. Lawyers of the PRO ASYL project “Refugee Support Program in the Aegean (RSPA)” represented nine Syrian protection seekers before the second instance on 20 and 21 April. The concerned asylum seekers were greatly relieved to receive the news that their deportation to Turkey has now been stopped. By now ten decisions by Appeals Committees have been published in which it is asserted that Turkey is no “safe third country” for Syrian refugees. There are a number of further positive decisions which have not been delivered yet. Despite of massive pressure from the European Commission and the responsible Greek Minister for Migration, the members of the Appeals Committee held up and decided in favor of the protection seekers.
“We thank our lawyers and the whole RSPA-team for their work and dedication. Since the commencement of the cynical deal with Erdogan our project partners are working day and night in order to support protection seekers in exercising their rights in spite of an unlawful procedure” says Karl Kopp, PRO ASYL Director of European Affairs.

Turkey: Illegal mass returns of Syrian refugees expose fatal flaws in EU-Turkey deal

Large-scale forced returns of refugees from Turkey to war-ravaged Syria expose the fatal flaws in a refugee deal signed between Turkey and the European Union earlier this month, Amnesty International revealed today.

New research carried out by the organization in Turkey’s southern border provinces suggests that Turkish authorities have been rounding up and expelling groups of around 100 Syrian men, women and children to Syria on a near-daily basis since mid-January. Over three days last week, Amnesty International researchers gathered multiple testimonies of large-scale returns from Hatay province, confirming a practice that is an open secret in the region.

All forced returns to Syria are illegal under Turkish, EU and international law.

“In their desperation to seal their borders, EU leaders have wilfully ignored the simplest of facts: Turkey is not a safe country for Syrian refugees and is getting less safe by the day,” said John Dalhuisen, Amnesty International’s Director for Europe and Central Asia.

“The large-scale returns of Syrian refugees we have documented highlight the fatal flaws in the EU-Turkey deal. It is a deal that can only be implemented with the hardest of hearts and a blithe disregard for international law.”

New funding announced by HRVP Mogherini and Commissioner Stylianides as they meet with refugees in Turkey

European Commission - Press release

EU steps up assistance for Syrian refugees in Turkey

Brussels, 09 December 2014

New funding announced by HRVP Mogherini and Commissioner Stylianides as they meet with refugees in Turkey

With growing numbers of refugees from Syria seeking sanctuary in Turkey, the European Commission is stepping up its assistance with an additional €10 million in humanitarian funding both inside Turkey and inside Syria via cross-border assistance from Turkey. The funding was announced as EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice President of the European Commission Federica Mogherini and the Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Christos Stylianides visited a camp for Syrian refugees in the border town of Kilis, south-central Turkey, and attended a distribution of EU-funded aid for refugees.

HRVP Federica Mogherini stated: "Today, we are stepping up our assistance to the people of Syria and to the Turkish communities hosting Syrian refugees. Europe stands firmly with Turkey and is determined to play its role to the full to bring a lasting political solution to this regional crisis and humanitarian tragedy".

"Let me express my deep appreciation for the immense efforts by Turkey and its people, who have shown their huge capacity for solidarity with the people of Syria in their greatest time of need," said Commissioner Stylianides. "Europe stands firmly with Turkey. We remain fully committed to our ongoing support to the refugee population in the country, which is why we are stepping up our assistance".

Amnesty International; Twin car bombings in Syrian border district condemned

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL

PUBLIC STATEMENT

AI index: EUR 44/011/2013

13 May 2013

Turkey: Twin car bombings in Syrian border district condemned

Amnesty International condemns unreservedly the 11 May bomb attacks in the centre of Reyhanlı which have left 50 people dead and more than 100 injured.

Reyhanlı¸ in Turkey’s Hatay province is situated next to the Syrian border and close to one of the main crossing points between the two countries. The city hosts a large number of Syrian refugees. At least three Syrian nationals were reported to be among those killed in the explosions.

The attacks, which apparently targeted ordinary people going about their lives show contempt for the right to life and the fundamental principles of international law.

Amnesty International condemns Syrian border bombing

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL

PUBLIC STATEMENT

AI index: EUR 44/004/2013

13 February 2013

Turkey: Amnesty International condemns Syrian border bombing

Amnesty International condemns the bombing at Turkey’s Cilvegözü border crossing with Syria.

According to reports the explosion occurred at around 3pm on 11 February, killing 14 people including children. Four of the dead are Turkish citizens, 10 are Syrian nationals. The blast also injured more than 20 others, many of whom continue to receive treatment in hospital.

The Cilvegözü border crossing is the main crossing point between Turkey and Syria in the Hatay province and a major route for the passage of humanitarian supplies into Syria. The explosion occurred at a busy area where it would be expected to cause major loss of life.

EU provides EUR 25 million to assist Turkey with the Syrian refugees

The EU has, collectively, allocated over EUR 313 million in humanitarian aid to respond to the critical needs of the population affected by the crisis in Syria and the needs of host communities.

Turkey is shouldering a significant burden in welcoming now more than 145.000 Syrian refugees in the camps that have been established along the border, seeking refuge from the violence and insecurity prevalent in their own country.   This burden is particularly acute given the protracted nature of the crisis.  The EU appreciates that, in addition, Turkey is hosting a significant number of Syrian citizens outside the camps.

Intellectuals call for humanitarian access to Syrian refugees in Turkey

Three prominent intellectuals called on Turkey’s foreign minister to shift his government’s policy to allow humanitarian relief agencies to help the country’s Syrian refugees, currently taking shelter mainly in southern Turkish provinces.

An open letter signed by Lord Anthony Giddens, former director of the London School of Economics; Dr. Hany El Banna, founder of several relief organizations and current board member of the Center for Interfaith Action on Global Poverty (CIFA); and Turkish Professor Fuat Keyman, who is also the director of the İstanbul Policy Center appealed to Ahmet Davutoğlu, asking him to join Jordan and Lebanon in enabling humanitarian agencies to support relief efforts for the Syrian refugees.

More than 120,000 Syrian refugees are taking shelter in camps in southern Turkey and more are expected with winter setting in and millions of people estimated to be short of food inside Syria.

AFAD: As of today, Republic of Turkey has 112.883 Syrian Citizens

REPUBLIC OF TURKEY
PRIME MINISTRY
DISASTER AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PRESIDENCY

PRESS RELEASE
(NOVEMBER 09, 2012)

AS OF TODAY, REPUBLİC OF TURKEY HAS 112.883 SYRIAN CITIZENS

              As of today, Republic of Turkey has 112.883 Syrian Citizens in 13 tent cities, a temporary reception center and a container city established by Prime Ministry, Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD).

              5 tent cities in Hatay, 2 in Şanlıurfa, 3 in Gaziantep, 1 in Kahramanmaraş, Osmaniye and Adıyaman, in total 13 tent cities, and a container city in Kilis, has a capacity to shelter 12.000 people, have been established by our Presidency.

AFAD: As of today, Republic of Turkey has 111.890 Syrian Citizens.

REPUBLIC OF TURKEY
PRIME MINISTRY
DISASTER AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PRESIDENCY

PRESS RELEASE
(NOVEMBER 06, 2012)

AS OF TODAY, REPUBLİC OF TURKEY HAS 111.890 SYRIAN CITIZENS


              As of today, Republic of Turkey has 111.890 Syrian Citizens in 13 tent cities, a temporary reception center and a container city established by Prime Ministry, Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD).

              5 tent cities in Hatay, 2 in Şanlıurfa, 3 in Gaziantep, 1 in Kahramanmaraş, Osmaniye and Adıyaman, in total 13 tent cities, and a container city in Kilis, has a capacity to shelter 12.000 people, have been established by our Presidency.

AFAD: As of today, Republic of Turkey has 107.769 Syrian Citizens

REPUBLIC OF TURKEY
PRIME MINISTRY
DISASTER AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PRESIDENCY

PRESS RELEASE
(OCTOBER 30, 2012)

AS OF TODAY, REPUBLİC OF TURKEY HAS 107.769 SYRIAN CITIZENS

              As of today, Republic of Turkey has 107.769 Syrian Citizens in 13 tent cities, a temporary reception center and a container city established by Prime Ministry, Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD).

              5 tent cities in Hatay, 2 in Şanlıurfa, 3 in Gaziantep, 1 in Kahramanmaraş, Osmaniye and Adıyaman, in total 13 tent cities, and a container city in Kilis, has a capacity to shelter 12.000 people, have been established by our Presidency.

AFAD: Number of Syrian refugees exceeds 100.000

REPUBLIC OF TURKEY
PRIME MINISTRY
DISASTER AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PRESIDENCY

PRESS RELEASE
(OCTOBER 15, 2012)

AS OF TODAY, REPUBLIC OF TURKEY HAS 100.363 SYRIAN CITIZENS


              As of today, Republic of Turkey has 100.363 Syrian Citizens in 13 tent cities, a temporary reception center and a container city established by Prime Ministry, Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD).

              5 tent cities in Hatay, 2 in Şanlıurfa, 3 in Gaziantep, 1 in Kahramanmaraş, Osmaniye and Adıyaman, in total 13 tent cities, and a container city in Kilis, has a capacity to shelter 12.000 people, have been established by our Presidency.

HRW: Iraq/Turkey; Open Borders to All Syrian Refugees

The Iraqi and Turkish authorities should immediately re-open border crossings where more than 10,000 Syrians have been stranded for weeks and allow all those wishing to seek asylum to cross without delay, Human Rights Watch said today. Tens of thousands of Syrians fleeing recent fighting – including in Syria’s Aleppo, Idlib, and Deir el Zor provinces – are attempting to use the crossings to reach Iraq and Turkey quickly and safely.

Since the second half of August 2012, Iraq and Turkey have unlawfully prevented thousands of Syrians from entering their countries through these crossing points. Each country has allowed only a limited number of people to cross, either based on medical emergencies or on arbitrary limits. Blocking people from crossing international borders to claim asylum – whether through formal or informal crossing points – breaches international law, Human Rights Watch said.

AFAD Press ReleaseAs of today, Republic of Turkey has 96.397 Syrian Citizens

REPUBLIC OF TURKEY
PRIME MINISTRY
DISASTER AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PRESIDENCY

PRESS RELEASE
(OCTOBER 05, 2012)

AS OF TODAY, REPUBLİC OF TURKEY HAS 96.397 SYRIAN CITIZENS


              As of today, Republic of Turkey has 96.397 Syrian Citizens in 13 tent cities, a temporary reception center and a container city established by Prime Ministry, Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD).

              5 tent cities in Hatay, 2 in Şanlıurfa, 3 in Gaziantep, 1 in Kahramanmaraş, Osmaniye and Adıyaman, in total 12 tent cities, and a container city in Kilis, has a capacity to shelter 12.000 people, have been established by our Presidency.

AFAD Press Release: As of today, Republic of Turkey has 93.576 Syrian Citizens...

REPUBLIC OF TURKEY
PRIME MINISTRY
DISASTER AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PRESIDENCY

PRESS RELEASE
(OCTOBER 01, 2012)

AS OF TODAY, REPUBLİC OF TURKEY HAS 93.576 SYRIAN CITIZENS


              As of today, Republic of Turkey has 93.576 Syrian Citizens in 12 tent cities, a temporary reception center and a container city established by Prime Ministry, Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD).

              5 tent cities in Hatay, 2 in Şanlıurfa, 2 in Gaziantep, 1 in Kahramanmaraş, Osmaniye and Adıyaman, in total 12 tent cities, and a container city in Kilis, has a capacity to shelter 12.000 people, have been established by our Presidency.

As of today, Republic of Turkey has 83.260 Syrian Citizens in 11 tent cities, a temporary reception center and a container city

REPUBLIC OF TURKEY
PRIME MINISTRY
DISASTER AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PRESIDENCY

PRESS RELEASE
(SEPTEMBER 18, 2012)

AS OF TODAY, REPUBLİC OF TURKEY HAS 83.260 SYRIAN CITIZENS


              As of today, Republic of Turkey has 83.260 Syrian Citizens in 11 tent cities, a temporary reception center and a container city established by Prime Ministry, Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD).

              5 tent cities in Hatay, 2 in Şanlıurfa, 2 in Gaziantep, 1 in Kahramanmaraş and Osmaniye, in total 11 tent cities, and a container city in Kilis, has a capacity to shelter 12.000 people, have been established by our Presidency.

Speech Delivered by Mr. Ahmet Davutoğlu, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkey at the UN Security Council

30 August 2012, New York

Mr. President,

I wish to start by expressing our thanks to the French Presidency for organizing this timely and very important meeting on Syria and inviting us, the neighboring countries, which bear the brunt of the crisis in Syria.

I also extend our appreciation to Deputy UN Secretary General, Mr. Jan Eliasson and UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Mr. Antonio Guterres for their lucid and comprehensive briefings on the situation.

When I received the invitation, I decided to come without hesitation.

DELIVERY OF HUMANITARIAN AID HAS STARTED AT THE SYRIAN BORDER ZERO POINT

REPUBLIC OF TURKEY
PRIME MINISTRY
Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency

PRESS RELEASE
 (18 AUGUST 2012)

DELIVERY OF HUMANITARIAN AID HAS STARTED AT THE SYRIAN BORDER ZERO POINT

              Having regard to the difficulties in extending humanitarian assistance to the northern parts of Syria due to the rising violence in these regions, Turkey, in accordance with the international law, has started delivering humanitarian aid at the Syrian border zero point under the coordination of AFAD. The Government has notified the United Nations, and the Turkish Red Crescent has informed its interlocutors in respect of the operation.

As of today, 61.450 Syrian Citizens have been sheltered

REPUBLIC OF TURKEY
PRIME MINISTRY
DISASTER AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PRESIDENCY

PRESS RELEASE(AUGUST 15, 2012)

UNINTERRUPTED HUMANITARIAN AID IS CONTINUING FOR SYRIAN CITIZENS

              As of today, 61.450 Syrian Citizens have been sheltered in 8 tent cities, 1 temporary reception centre and a container city established by Prime Ministry AFAD.

              5 tent cities in Hatay, 2 tent cities in Şanlıurfa, a tent city in Gaziantep and a container city in Kilis, has a capacity to shelter 12.000 people, have been established by our Presidency.

              In response to displacement lived due to the interior conflicts in Syria, camps have been established in 4 cities and all kind of humanitarian relief for  more than 90.000 Syrian Citizens have been supplied by Prime Ministry AFAD until today.

As of today, 59.710 Syrian Citizens have been sheltered...

REPUBLIC OF TURKEY
PRIME MINISTRY
DISASTER AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PRESIDENCY

PRESS RELEASE
(AUGUST 13, 2012)

UNINTERRUPTED HUMANITARIAN AID IS CONTINUING FOR SYRIAN CITIZENS


              As of today, 59.710 Syrian Citizens have been sheltered in 8 tent cities, 1 temporary reception centre and a container city established by Prime Ministry AFAD.

              5 tent cities in Hatay, 2 tent cities in Şanlıurfa, a tent city in Gaziantep and a container city in Kilis, has a capacity to shelter 12.000 people, have been established by our Presidency.

UNINTERRUPTED HUMANITARIAN AID IS CONTINUING FOR SYRIAN CITIZENS

REPUBLIC OF TURKEY
PRIME MINISTRY
DISASTER AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PRESIDENCY

PRESS RELEASE
(AUGUST 09, 2012)

UNINTERRUPTED HUMANITARIAN AID IS CONTINUING FOR SYRIAN CITIZENS


              As of today, 50.227 Syrian Citizens have been sheltered in 8 tent cities and a container city established by Prime Ministry AFAD.

              5 tent cities in Hatay, 2 tent cities in Şanlıurfa, a tent city in Gaziantep and a container city in Kilis, has a capacity to shelter 12.000 people, have been established by our Presidency.