Our statement published in Yeni Akit newspaper on January 24th 2012.
Shocking bill sent to Chechen camp!
Chechens inhabited in Istanbul Umraniye camp are shocked with natural gas bill of TRL 510 thousand.Chechens do not have work permit and no source of income since they do not have refugee status, their natural gas was disconnected since they could not pay bill of TRL 510 thousand.Chechens shaking due to freezing weather ask authorities for relief.
Chechens living in basement floor of Halilürrahman Mosque, Umraniye- Istanbul were sent a natural gas bill of TRL 510 thousand.Caucasians do not have any source of income and nor work permit since they do not have refugee status faced with a disconnection of natural gas in cold weather conditions.
Bill of 510 thousand!
Needs of Chechen campsuch as electric, water and natural gas are supplied from the mosque for 34 families, 130 people are living in.Directorate of religious affairs pay for electric and water bills and natural gas is not covered by them.
While natural gas was connected to the mosque 10 years before, Chechen immigrants used the same line for heating.Natural gas was disconnected since association of mosque does not have enough money and Chechens do not have any source of income.At the moment, unpaid amount is TRL 223 thousand and interest is TRL 2286 thousand and total TRL 510 thousand.
ÖZER:Refugee status of Chechens must be recognized
Murat Özer Imkander Chairman stated that Chechens have similar problems for long time and the solution could be obtained by recognizing refugee status of Chechens.
Özer: reminded Geneva convention signed by Turkey in 1951 added, “Turkey committed to recognize refugee status of immigrants coming from Caucasia.But unfortunately this commitment was not satisfied so far.“
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Camp‘s head informed that many children was sick because of cold weather.
We are warning:Since natural gas is disconnected, families are using electric heaters and causing failures on the lines for overcapacity.A failure may cause irreparable conditions in the camp in which 34 families are living.Authorities should look after these brothers of us as necessary.Tomorrow might be too late.
We would like to inform public that although we, Imkander informed many official authorities on the situation, no positive response we could get.
