Deportation order for the refugees who joined the function on Istanbul Convention

Hilmi MIYNAT
Denizli

Esmaeil Fattahi, Leili Faraji, Zeinab Sahafi joining the press conference on March 20 in Cinar Square, and on April 5, Monday, Mohammad Pourakbari Kermani who had not joined the function, were placed into custody. Lawyer Bergamali, explaining that the deportation order was a violation of the law, said “In the article, everyone’s right to assemble and to organize a protest has been secured,” reminding the Article 34 of the Constitution, the right to assemble and organize a protest.

LAWYER BERGAMALI: GOVERNMENT IS EXCEEDING ITS AUTHORITY

Lawyer Hayriye Buse Bergamali, indicating that a  court case should be opened in 7 days in order to get the deportation order annulled, said “with the Article 34 of the Constitution, the right to organize a protest and assemble, it has been guaranteed that everyone has this right. There is no regulation in Law 6458 that the organizing a protest and assembling have been banned.”

KARACA OF CHP: THERE IS NO BENEFIT IN INTRODUCING OFFENCES UNDER MADE-UP PRETEXTS”

During the night when the refugees were taken into custody, Gulizar Bicer Karaca, a Deputy Leaer of CHP, reacting to the order through her social media account, used the statements “They are scared, they will be scared, let them get scared... Solidarity keeps alive, will keep alive. There is no benefit in introducing offences under made-up pretexts. Those taken into custody should be released immediately.”

EKMEK VE GUL OF DENIZLI: VIOLATION OF BOTH LAW AND HUMAN RIGHTS

Seher Zeytun Dogan, the spoke person of Ekmek ve Gul Group of Denizli, mentioning that they closely monitor the event, said “the government’s animosity against women has been going on hand in hand with its hostility towards refugees and its hatredness towards human rights. We have never given up on İstanbul Convention nor will we abandon our refugee brothers and sisters. İstanbul Convention is for all of us, the refugees are not excluded! The deportation order is the violation of both the law and human rights. Many people leave their countries to escape capital punishment. The Immigration Affairs and The United Nations Refugees High Commission, trying to move the responsibility to the Immigration Affairs, are accountable for ultimate fate of our refugee brothers and sisters.”

Having received the deportation order, Esmaeil Fattahi: If deported, we will have no safety for our lives

Esmaeil Fattahi, one of the four refugees who were taken into custody under the pretext that they joined the İstanbul Convention function in Denizli, yesterday, and were given the deportation order today, reached out to Evrensel from the centre of deportation. Fattahi, explaining that the function they joined was not illegal, but they were  accused of joining that function, said that they were put under torture and they were faced with abuse. Explaining that, if deported, they would be tortured in Iran and would be sentenced to imprisonment, and that they would have no security for their lives, Fattahi wanted the deportation order lifted and called for the support of the people of Turkey on this matter.

With the sound recording Fattahi sent to Evrensel, he told on the process of refugee claims and assessed the deportation order based on the accusations per their participation in the function.

Esmaeil Fattahi explained that he had been living in Turkey as a refugee since 2015, that he had been under the protection of United Nations in political status for the last two years.

“FUNCTION IS BANNED TO A REFUGEE”

Fattahi, going on to explain that they were placed into custody together with Zeinab Sahafi, Leili Fraji, Mohammad Pour Akbari Kermani earlier yesterday morning, said that it was asserted as the reasoning that they had participated in İstanbul Convention function 15 days ago. Explaining that they were told at the Security centre that it was prohibited for the refugees to participate in such a function, Fattahi said “The function is not banned, but it is for us, refugees. However there is no such differentiation in the Constitution.”

Explaning that the posters in our hands at the function were related to Iranian regime, Fattahi argued “To me, this was very big factor. Because in our hands, there were only the posters criticizing the Iranian regime.”

“WE BECAME SUBJECTED TO TORTURE”

Going on explaining that they were put under torture and abuse during the custody in Denizli, Fattahi said that they were then taken to Aydin deportation centre, and there too the conditions were very bad.

“IF WE GET DEPORTED, WE WILL NOT HAVE SECURITY FOR OUR LIVES”

Explaining that they were given the deportation documentation, and the deportation would be carried out in a few days, Fattahi explained that, if they get deported, a very bad future would be awaiting for them, and added “We will put under torture in Iran, will be imprisoned, and we will not have any security for our lives.” In order to prevent these, Fattahi said, the only way is for Turkey to lift the deportation order, and asked for the support of the people of Turkey.

“IF SOMETHING HAPPENS TO US, TURKEY AND UNITED NATIONS WOULD BE ACCOUNTABLE”

Esmaeil Fattahi, as his final word, said “due to what we are going through now, and in the future, if something happens to us, the state of Turkey and the United Nations would be held responsible. We ask all people, freedom loving people, the people of Turkey and the international community that they back us.”

EMEP CHAIR AKDENIZ: REFUGEES CANNOT BE SENT BACK

Ercument Akdeniz, the leader of Labour Party (Emek Partisi), through his declarations in social media, explained that it was inacceptable to deport the refugees who participated in İstanbul Convention function. Akdeniz asked the public to become a voice for the refugees by saying “It is life and death matter that our refugee friends and democratic community look after the refugees, lay a claim against the possibility of their deportation situation.”