Alarming ‘xenophobic trend’ on the rise in Turkey

Agencies | Ankara

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Amid alarming reports about assassinations of Syrian refugees in Turkey, the trend of violence and the security of foreigners has become a source of concern in the country, where refugees were once welcomed with open arms.

The country’s economic woes, with high rates of unemployment and decreased purchasing power due to inflation, have pushed many to blame foreigners.

The frequent use of anti-refugee rhetoric by politicians has fanned the flames of racism.

A Turkish court recently overturned controversial plans by the mayor of the northwestern city of Bolu, Tanju Ozcan, to increase water bills by tenfold for foreigners, as well as charging 100,000 lire ($7,435) for civil marriage ceremonies for foreigners in Turkey.

“They overstayed their welcome. If I had the power, I would use municipal officials to throw them out by force,” Ozcan said.

“I know people will talk about human rights and they will call me fascist.

I simply do not care.” Anti-immigrant sentiment has hardened, exacerbated by an influx of Afghans after the Taliban takeover of their country in August 2021.

Refugee killed Last week, Nail Al Naif, a 19-year-old Syrian refugee, was killed in Istanbul by a group of men while sleeping in his room.

Eight people, including five Turkish nationals and three Afghans, were arrested.