DEM Party calls for action against new migration waves for immigrants

The DEM Party has drawn attention to the risks faced by immigrants and refugees as tensions in the region escalate. In a statement issued by the party's Immigrant and Refugee Commission Co-Spokespersons Özgül Saki and Murad Mıhçı, it was stated: "We call on everyone to stand in solidarity with immigrants; to struggle together for an equal and free life in a world without borders, classes, or exploitation."

The statement noted that millions of people have been displaced and are struggling to survive under harsh humanitarian conditions due to wars, political oppression, policies of exploitation, and ecological destruction. It was pointed out that more than 5 million immigrants in Turkey are living under the pressure of an insecure and discriminatory system. It was emphasized that immigrant labor is systematically exploited, with low wages and unregistered employment being widespread, while workplace homicides and the suppression of unions are on the rise. Furthermore, it was stated that racism and hate speech are becoming more prevalent every day.

It was noted that the ill-treatment in Removal Centers, arbitrary deportation procedures, and the pressure applied through "restriction codes" have become part of a state of lawlessness. It was stated that immigrant women face multiple forms of discrimination and are more vulnerable to sexist and racist violence, while LGBTI+ immigrants are subjected to all forms of discrimination. It was also mentioned that immigrant children are deprived of their right to education and are targets of child labor and abuse.

It was stated that Turkey's geographical limitation on the 1951 Geneva Convention and the Readmission Agreement signed with the European Union have led to immigrants being deprived of their fundamental rights. It was noted that these policies have turned Turkey into Europe's border guard and condemned immigrants to a life without status or security.

The statement also emphasized that the deepening crises in the Middle East are harbingers of new and large-scale migration movements. It was stated that Israel's military interventions in Palestine, Lebanon, and Syria, as well as the conflicts between Iran and Israel, violate international law by targeting civilian settlements and infrastructure. It was expressed that these attacks, along with the destruction of safe living spaces, lead to mass migration. It was also noted that Turkey's Syria policies and the ongoing trade relations with Israel are among the factors deepening the humanitarian crisis in the region.

The demands of the DEM Party Immigrant and Refugee Commission were listed as follows:

• Immigrants should be accepted as social individuals with equal rights, not as "temporary guests,"
• The Readmission Agreement should be terminated and the geographical limitation in the Geneva Convention should be lifted,
• All immigrants should be granted status and access to fundamental rights, and the exploitation of immigrant labor should be ended,
• Removal Centers should be closed, arbitrary restriction codes should be lifted, and deportation practices should be ended,
• Preparations against new migration waves should be made on the basis of human rights and social peace.

At the end of the statement, the words, "We call on everyone to stand in solidarity with immigrants; to struggle together for an equal and free life in a world without borders, classes, or exploitation," were repeated.

News Source: 12punto