DÎLOK - Pointing out that attacks against refugees are a crime against humanity, Bahri Oğuz, co-chair of IHD Dîlok, said they are planning a workshop on combating racism. 

 

In Melikgazi district of Kayseri on June 30, a massive lynching against Syrians was launched following allegations of sexual harassment against a 7-year-old child. In attacks led by racist groups that spread to many cities in Turkey, Syrian citizens' cars were burned, their workplaces were looted and their houses were stoned. In Antalya's Serik district, 17-year-old Syrian Ahmet Handan El Naif was lynched to death, and in Dîlok (Antep-Kurdistan), a Syrian worker returning from work was stabbed.

 

Rights defenders and democratic mass organizations in the city reacted against the attacks that spread to Dîlok. Antep Labor and Democracy Platform components are planning a comprehensive study on the issue. Bahri Oğuz, co-chair of the Human Rights Association (IHD), one of the platform components, spoke about the preparations for the study. 

 

PREVIOUS MASSACRES REMINDED 

 

Stating that there is a deliberate attempt to create hostility against refugees, Oğuz said: "This hatred has been woven into the fabric with the discourse of some media channels and politicians. Similar incidents have happened before. In 2017, Emani El-Rahmun, who was 8 months pregnant, was raped and then murdered along with her baby. There was also a similar attempt in Altındağ, Ankara. Afghan refugee Wazir Mohammad Nourtani died and his body was burned and tried to be disappeared. In Güzelbahçe, Izmir, 3 refugees were burned to death. Those who committed these crimes took strength from these discourses. Finally, what happened in Kayseri was a continuation of this mentality." 

 

 

CRIME AGAINST HUMANITY

 

Stating that targeted refugees and migrants go through similar processes in the legal field, Oğuz said that the crimes committed against these identities should be handled within the scope of "crimes against humanity" rather than "judicial" crimes. Oğuz said: "It is clear that if crimes are handled within this scope, they will be more deterrent and contribute to social peace." 

 

Oğuz said that migrants and refugees in Dîlok did not leave their homes and could not open their workplaces for days after the incidents, and stated that as the Labor and Democracy Platform, they are following the process. 

 

WORKSHOP PLAN

 

Pointing out that the social problems and political crises in the country cannot be attributed to refugees and migrants, Oğuz said that they will continue to struggle for the end of the attacks and social peace. Oğuz continued by stating the following: "As Antep Labor and Democracy components, we are planning a workshop on combating racism. With this workshop, we aim to correct the perceptions created. Every social institution should aim for social peace and the fight against racism. Each institution has a responsibility for this. We invite the members of the social opposition to establish this line of peace, to shoulder this struggle and to show solidarity." 

 

MA / Ceylan Şahinli