The 10th EBU General Assembly
The Radisson Blu Edwardian Hotel, Heathrow, London
October 26-28 2015
Emin Demirci
Syrian Asylum-Seekers Including the Disabled in Turkey
On April 29, 2011, just over 250 people fleeing from the civil war in Syria entered Turkey - the first of many. In the last four years, more than 2,300,000 human beings have had to escape the instability of a civil war that shows no sign of ending. Turkey has already spent over six billion euro to assist these Syrian refugees.
To date, more than half of Syria’s 23 million citizens have left their homes to settle in other parts of their country while approximately five million have had to flee abroad seeking safety for themselves and their families. Latest estimates believe that the extent of the damage has exceeded US$ 150 billion..
Before discussing the situation of Syrian immigrants we should talk about their legal status in Turkey. Turkey ratified the 1951 Geneva Convention related to Status of Refugees limited to the European continent. This right is not granted to others who seek refugee status from other regions of the world. Those who were able to reach the Turkish border from Syria have been extended a temporary asylum-seeker status by the Turkish government, following an open border policy for war-inflicted persons. Temporary asylum-seeker status means that they are given protection, get their basic needs met and are able to benefit from health and education services. Ideally, as quickly as possible, they should be sent to a third country working in coordination between Turkish authorities and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees. Those who do not have proper documents for travel are issued the correct ones. Provisions of the 1951 Geneva Convention state that someone who receives refugee status has various undeniable rights similar the citizens of the host country. Turkey, at the cross-roads between Asia, Africa and Europe, has been reluctant to change her position since 1961 when she ratified the provisions of the Geneva Convention. This country has attracted large numbers of immigrants arriving in waves over the past 30 years, serving as a transition point for people crossing into other countries as the result of disturbances in the region, including Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran, Iraq and the former Soviet Union countries with whom Turkey has historical and cultural ties.
As events developed, ever increasing numbers of immigrants entered Turkey creating an emergency situation with genuine security concerns. These people, considered guests with short-term permission to stay in Turkey, believed that they would be able to return to their homes when the war and the uncertainty ended. The basic priority therefore, was to meet their essential needs, safety, provide treatment of the sick and injured, along with food, clothing and accommodation.
About 300,000 were lodged in 22 camps in ten provinces near the border with Syria that stretches over 900 kilometers. The rest settled in other provinces with the special permission of the respective governors of these provinces; about 500,000 currently live in Istanbul. Those able to live outside the camps either have relatives in those regions or have enough resources to work and earn an income. Unfortunately, it is not unusual to see many people begging on the streets.
By the time it became obvious that the civil war in Syria would not come to a rapid end and the devastation in their country was not repairable in the foreseeable future, the Turkish government made some modifications in the policy related to Syrian asylum-seekers. In 2013, the Parliament revised the Foreigners and International Protection Act; in November 2014, the government put into practice the By-laws for Temporary Protection. With this new paradigm change, each asylum-seeker received an ID card with a registration number with which they are able to receive health, education or social aid from the government. They are able to receive support from various aid organizations and from social services in order to maintain their daily living requirements. They stay either in the camps set up for them or rent houses outside the camps in various parts of the country. People able to find jobs are allowed to work.
Those who do not know Turkish and want to pursue their education in their own language are able to do this with educators among the refugees utilizing their native curriculum. These classes are available following regular school hours.
At the end of September 2015, with the start of the autumn semester, 230,000 Syrian pupils attended these schools. Among the students are some special classes for disabled kids.
Disability is categorized under the general classification of “those with special needs” and includes pregnant women, the elderly, single parents and victims of violence or sexual abuse. When someone comes to the security office at border entry points, they are asked to fill out a form. On the form, there are no questions or any place to designate if that person is disabled or not. Therefore, it is not obvious how many disabled people are among the asylum-seekers. However, it is not difficult to imagine that the percentage of the disabled who were able to flee to Turkey is much less than in their own country during times of peace. Certainly, the number of people who have been injured or disabled as the result of attacks on their way to Turkey should be included in these totals.
In 2014, during a project run by the Turkish government’s Rescue and Emergency Administration and a private company, sixty disabled persons received prosthetic devices.
Recently, some representatives from voluntary organizations visited camps for the disabled and contacts were made with some individuals. Examples of some questions asked and a summary of the answers are listed below:
Why do disabled people come to Turkey?
1. Their families come and the disabled members come along as well.
2. There is no chance for them to live in Syria anymore; therefore, they come with their families to Turkey.
3. They were wounded during the war and come for treatment.
4. They came to Turkey because there is no help for them in Syria as disabled individuals.
5. They became ill under unfavorable conditions while fleeing their country.
6. They are accepted at the border and find conditions are favorable for them to live here.
How did they become disabled?
Some individuals are congenitally disabled, while others have acquired their disability later in life while living in Syria and others have become disabled because of unsuitable living conditions in the camps. However, many more are disabled during the war. As expected, the majority have physical disabilities of some sort.
In terms of the age groups, the highest numbers are found in the 18-40 year olds, followed by 41-55; 10-17; 1-9 and 56 and over, in that order.
What are their basic needs?
1. How to obtain more information about their disability and how to live with it
2. Adjustment to Turkish society and proper communications
3. Awareness and utilization of innate skills and how to utilize them to earn a living as well as how to obtain vocational training
4. Availability of devices and equipment for daily life needs
5. Food and clothing
6. Personal hygiene requirements
7. Housing
Until recently, the Rescue and Emergency Administration of the Turkish government granted services to Syrian asylum-seekers. The issue has recently been transferred to the newly-established Office of Immigration. Together with local and international organizations, this Office will plan and perform the following services for disabled Syrian immigrants:
1. The number of the disabled should be estimated and specific needs assessments carried out.
2. Gather information about their disability and the services they require.
3. Provide them with special equipment and technology, plus wheelchairs, canes, etc..
4. Expand special education including language skills and vocational training.
5. Employment should become a priority by considering new opportunities for those who develop the necessary skills.
6. If they are residing in Turkey, they should benefit from the same rights and services as disabled Turkish citizens.
7. They should receive financial support.