Distinguished Press Members,
Written and visual media institutions broadcasted many news related with the raid of Maxmur Refugee Camp, which is in Iraq. However; many of the news based on incomplete information and the news reflected the raid as a part of Turkey’s struggle against terrorism. Moreover; the news has qualifications, which are against international law. These broadcasts have a risk, which is perception of approximately 11.000 people as terrorist by public.
It is estimated that there are approximately 13. Millions refugee in all over the world and 20th June is commemorated as “World’s Refugee Day” in each year. United Nation High Commissioner for Refugees chose “courage” as the main theme in 2005. UNHCR explained the reason why they chose such a topic as: “As ordinary people, who lead peaceful life we do not test our courage frequently. Refugees are also ordinary people, however; they find themselves in extraordinary atmospheres because of faults, which are not resulted from them. ‘To cope with fear’ to reach inner power sources, they need to dig depth of their soul. This fear directly represents a war; escape from tyranny, losing one’s home or beloved persons and compulsory for escape. Then; uncertainty’s deeper anxiety begins. Indeed; it is deeper anxiety of attempts to rebuild a life either in an absolute strange atmosphere or in a homeland on which they are not wanted. Being a refugee requires courage.
Courage not to lose hope, to evaluate things that remain in hands in the best way, to be able to restart life despite all of difficulties and to become individuals, who contribute-enrich (once again) society”.
As it is known that being a refugee is an important human rights issue, which is guaranteed by international law like Geneva Conventions and other regulations. Moreover, Turkey is also state party for these international regulations.
At first; I want to give some information about history of Maxmur Refugee Camp in order to make the subject known. In 1991-1992 many people, whose life run into risk because of high intensity conflict, passed to (with their families) Iraq and applied for being refugee. UN High Commissioner for Refugees built up a refugee camp for these people and accepted them as refugees. Now; there are, approximately, 11.000 people in the camp.
There have been meetings among UN, Iraq and Turkey related with these people since 1994. The meetings were about returning of these people to Turkey in a safe manner. Towards to the end of 1994, there was a principal agreement that significantly accepted. However; the agreement could not be implemented since some problems that affiliated with providing law, economic, social securities, which were necessary for a safety returning, could not be managed. Then, as it is known, Iraqi Government dethroned by American intervention. There were not significant improvements related with Maxmur Refugee Camp because of known problems.
Although, from time to time, Turkey asked for evacuation of the Camp grounding its security concerns, such a demand could not be fulfilled since there was not a full agreement, which should be compatible with international law, between affiliated States.
UN High Commissioner for Refugees’ staffs had to leave Iraq after UN Building in Baghdad was bombed in 2003. Only a few officers of UNHCR stayed in Iraq. This situation caused some difficulties for controlling of the Camp by UN.
It is needless to say that UN’s final aim is to evacuate of these camps via finding permanent solutions for problems of these people. So, attempts to find permanent solutions and manage returning, which based on volunteer principals, of these people did not last; as much as we know that meetings, on this subject, among Turkey, Iraq and UNHCR still continue in Geneva.
As a result of UN’s control decreasing and Turkey’s permanent allegation that is Maxmur Camp is under the control of armed militants; UN High Commissioner for Refugees asked Iraq Authorities to raid in the camp and determine whether there is any armed person/group or not.. Moreover, UNHCR asked for paralyzing armed person/group if there is any. After this demand; Iraq Authorities raided Maxmur Refugee Camp yesterday. America, actually invasion forces also sent a representative, who is Denmark, to this raid. According to the information that we learned raid carried out in a professional manner and officers did not find any weapons.
All of the evidences show that raid was a routine implementation.
Therefore;
1) Broadcasting such an ordinary raid as an operation “against terrorism” is totally wrong. Actually raids, in such camps, are frequently carried out. Speculating on such persons, who had to leave from their homeland and became refugee violates right news principle and are against refugee law-human rights.
2) Refugee Camp was identified, in much news, as “PKK’s Maxmur Camp”. Such identification caused, even involuntarily, a misconception about these people, whose numbers are over 10.000 and disadvantaged group. As a result of this misconception; they were considered at least “as members of illegal organization” and became target in the society.
According to information from UN’s connections; attempts for evacuation of the Camp, which will be in accordance with refugee law voluntarily base-permanent solutions, will be speeded up in a short period. In this sense, it is possible that UNHCR might carry out inspections in the camp or have meetings with either state authorities or non-governmental organizations.
As Human Rights Association, we expect-demand for being more sensitive about refugees’ rights in statement by State or Medias’ news and escaping from manner-behaviours, which can cause risks and make more difficult life of refugees.
HUMAN RIGHTS ASSOCIATION