Broad participation was observed during public statement of IMKANDER. Reyhan Balcı, Şefkatder Board Member stated that they cared many refugees but they have just been informed on this tragedy experienced in Yalova during public statement supported by Şefkatder and Umutder. İzzet Kazak, Umutder Chairman mentioned that our Caucasian immigrant brothers and sisters are not acceptable to leave under these awful conditions in Turkey and they will always stand by Caucasian people.
Participation was achieved from many provinces to our public statement in Yalova Refugee camp which had no power supply for the third Ramadan although it was the time for referendum and festival time. Ömer Erol Bezirgan secretary and board member of IMKANDER started his speech presenting his thanks to all Caucasian-origin and Caucasian-friendly participants, NGO representatives and pres members came from Tekirdağ, Bursa, Adapazarı, İzmit and Yalova.
Bezirgan emphasized that the war in Caucasia is tried to be swept under carpet especially for the last several years and there was ignorance on the matter and the reason thereof was because NGOs do not inform public on Caucasian issue. Bezirgan, Organization Secretary: Asked “Why they do not pay attention to these problems of Caucasian refugees and why they limited their activities with folklore dances“ addressing organizations and foundations which bear Caucasia in their names.
Bezirgan added following: “Let nobody expect us to ignore these brothers and sisters. They might asked some organizations and groups to do so. Some might have accepted this condition even if they have Caucasia - Chechenian in their title. But we will never accept. The problems encountered in refugee camps are not humanitarian. It is not acceptable that these women and children are abandoned such primitive conditions no matter what happens. Some may not support the struggles of the fathers of these children, husbands of these women. They may be troubles with the clothes of these people. So Kadirov and Russia are troubles with the same. But these are not valid reasons to have them encounter such a life“.
Bezirgan: “No matter what they say, fathers of these orphans, relatives of these women are fighting against Russia which caused big expatriation to Caucasian origin people. That Russia is the same which massacred many people in Ottoman country 90-100 years ago. You reactive brothers of us must find those responsible people who lead our brothers and sisters fall apart at the seams in Turkey. Lets call them to account. Who wants Caucasian struggle to end, why some of our NGOs fell into silence although they are sensitive to some regions of Islamic Geography? Why panel speeches, conferences and campaigns are frequently draw attention but Caucasia is doomed to be forgotten? How propagators of puppet government of Kadirov can conduct lobbying activities in Turkey quite easily and can find space for such activities? How could they are given free rein to do so? As you know, advertisements of Kadirov are published every week in broadcasting channels which we think they are conservative Those who harped on the same string of Caucasia for years and who got rid of our struggle later.
Then following public statement was read:
TEXT OF IMKANDER PUBLIC STATEMENT
There are more than 1,500 war weary Caucasian families living in Turkey. Most of them took refuge during 1st ChechenianRussia war and others joined us after 2nd war broke out.
Our these brothers and sisters are staying in Beykoz, Umraniye and Fenerbahce refugee camps in Istanbul under very primitive conditions. Furthermore they live in crowd in various quarters of Istanbul mainly Başakşehir and Zeytinburnu.
Yalova Refugee camp habitants consisting of mainly orphan and widows of the 2nd war is the camp having worst conditions among refugee camps. The camp entered 3rd year without power supply after Ramadan began. Epidemic disease observed in the camp and health of women and children are under serious risk.
We are convened here together with various NGOs and all Caucasia friends under guidance of IMKANDER in order to draw attention of public and to protest unfair treatments to Caucasian war weary especially for the last 3 years.
Refugees living under worst conditions in Turkey are Caucasian war weary. UN stakes a claim of African, Asian and Middle Eastern refugees but since Caucasian immigrants have Russian Passport they are considered as European and they do not fall into UN‘s area of responsibility. Turkey declared that it would adapt European refugees signing 1951 Geneva Convention but behave unjustly toward our brothers and sisters defaulting its obligations under convention.
These refugee families could not benefit from any health services and could not use education rights since the Government does not recognize their refugee status most of which consist of Chechenian families.
None of them are permitted to work and problems are encountered in their residence permits. They are Imprisoned in Kumkapı Foreigners Branch detention room for months including mothers, children and old people.
Families suffering shelter and security issues are trying to survive without any social security with aids of sensitive citizens' limited facilities.
THIS TRAGEDY MUST BE ENDED
- Turkey must recognize refugee status of Caucasian immigrants satisfying provisions of Geneva Convention signed in 1951.
- Negative conditions encountered in refugee camps must be fixed and power supply problem of Yalova Camp must be solved.
- Rights of families on education, security, health and work permit must be recognized immediately.
- Hundreds of children born and grown here must be recognized citizenship rights.
- It must be stopped Chechenian citizens to be used as a foreign policy item in the relationships with Russia.
We are representatives of many NGos and Imkander which carry out activities in Turkey REQUEST on behalf of public that Caucasian families must be recognized RIGHTS who are actual refugees but not recognized legally from Republic of Turkey which recorded serious steps towards European Union.
We would like to mention that unacceptable attitudes of some foundations, associations and federations do not escape from public attention which are blind and deaf to the matter.
IMKANDER
