Page 15 - Syrians in Türkiye - Special Report

GRAND NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF TÜRKİYE THE OMBUDSMAN INSTITUTION

of the wave of migration into our country since the start of the Syrian civil war in
2011 and fulfillment of the duties established by international law.

In the current situation of Syria, which has been the scene of the biggest humanitarian
crisis ever since World War II and failure to prevent human rights violations,
migration towards neighboring countries caused by civil war and terrorism has
become unmanageable. The so-called developed states are using a double standard
in this respect. These countries, as has become painfully clear through Syria’s
experience, can become blind and deaf when the identity of the oppressed changes.

Our country has not been indifferent to the waves of migration from the Syrian
territory, with which we share a border of 911 kilometers in length, and has assumed
responsibility for human dignity without waiting for support from any state for the
management of migration or prevention of terrorism. Our country, with its open-
door policy that reflects its ancient tradition, has become host to 3.5 million Syrians,
which is equal to 4.5% of the population, and has shared its bread. While these
people with whom we lived together under the same flag until 100 years ago are
taken under temporary protection, their religion, language, color, or race; their cost
of living, income level, and education level has not been questioned; what needed
to be done was done for humanity. For, according to our belief, if any administrator
closes the door to the needy, the destitute, and those who have nothing, God will
close the doors of heaven in his face if he falls into poverty and need.

Our nation uses every available means within its institutions and non-governmental
organizations in order to bind the wounds of all the oppressed who have lost their
spouses, been left orphans, been victims of human rights violations, whose houses
have been destroyed in short, each one is going through a different victimization.
Our institutions which apply decisions in the field, such as the Ministry of Family
and Social Policy, the Ministry of National Education, the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Labor and Social Security, the
Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Ministry of European Union Affairs, the Disaster
and Emergency Management Presidency, the Directorate General of Migration
Management, the Turkish Red Crescent, the Turkish Coast Guard Command, the
Gendarmerie General Command, and the Directorate General of National Police,
along with non-governmental organizations, will provide a lesson on migration
management lesson worthy of human dignity that will serve as an example for the
whole world by setting up hospitality centers and bringing humanitarian aid from all
over the country to the needy, fighting migrant smuggling, providing psychosocial

SYRIANS IN TÜRKİYE SPECIAL REPORT 15