Since the beginning of the Syrian revolution, Turkey has provided a refuge for Syrian women and men who fled the dangers that threatened their lives in their homeland, including death, arrest, and forced disappearance. Despite the painful losses they have endured, the majority demonstrated a great capacity for adaptation and participation in the host communities. Due to the absence of a political solution, Syrians continue to live abroad.

During this year, the threat and danger have increased due to racist rhetoric and incitement during the presidential and parliamentary elections, and currently, the municipal elections. This is accompanied by reluctance and silence from the Turkish authorities towards the ongoing violations suffered by Syrian refugee women and men. This coincides with an organised process of forced deportation of young Syrian women and men under the pretext of voluntary return, especially in the unstable conditions in Syria.

The Syrian Women’s Political Movement calls on the Turkish government to urgently protect Syrian refugee women and men, especially those holding temporary protection cards, in accordance with international law and human rights. We also call for effective measures to halt the attacks and incitement, and to hold those involved accountable. We declare our full solidarity with Syrian women and men in Turkey and offer our condolences to the victims and their families.

The General Secretariat of the Syrian Women’s Political Movement

Tuesday, October 3, 2023