‘Removal Centers must be closed, refugee rights should not be bargained’

img

NEWS CENTER – On World Refugee Day, while DEM Party called for the termination of the Readmission Agreement and the closure of Removal Centers, The Amed Bar Association criticized Turkey’s migration policies for conflicting with international obligations, stating, “Refugee rights must not be subject to bargaining; hate speech and forced Removals must end.”

 
The People’s Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party Migration and Refugee Commission Co-Spokespersons Özgül Saki and Murad Mıhçı and The Amed Bar Association Human Rights Center Migration and Asylum Commission issued a press release on June 20, World Refugee Day made statements addressing migrants' hardships. 
 
DEM Party highlighted the severe humanitarian crisis caused by wars, political oppression, exploitation policies, and ecological destruction, forcing millions to be displaced worldwide. Despite this, millions of migrants and refugees in Turkey live under harsh conditions, largely unprotected, stateless, and subject to exclusion and discrimination. Migrant labour is systematically exploited, with widespread informal, low-wage work, workplace accidents, union-busting, and wage theft. Racism, hate speech, and lynch campaigns are escalating.
 
The statement condemned ill-treatment in Removal Centers, noting arbitrary deportations and intimidation through “restriction codes” have become common unlawful practices. Migrant women face compounded discrimination and vulnerability to gendered and racial violence, while LGBTQ+ migrants experience multiple layers of discrimination. Migrant children are deprived of education and targeted by child labour and abuse.
 
DEMANDS
 
The statement called for:
 
“*Recognizing migrants as equal social subjects, not ‘temporary guests.’
 
*Annulment of the Readmission Agreement and removal of geographical reservations from the Geneva Convention; an end to Europe’s migration bargaining.
 
*Granting all migrants status and access to fundamental rights; ending exploitation of migrant labour.
 
*Closing Removal Centers, abolishing arbitrary restriction codes, and halting deportations.
 
*Ensuring preparations for new migration waves respect human rights and social peace.
 
*A call for solidarity and joint struggle for a world free of borders, classes, and exploitation.”
 
 
The Amed (Diyarbakır) Bar Association Human Rights Center Migration and Asylum Commission Chair Ahmet Mulla Muhammed highlighted that the number of forcibly displaced people worldwide has reached 122.1 million.
 
Muhammed emphasized that refugees are not mere statistics but real stories testing human dignity. He recalled that refugee status, which guarantees access to international protection, is clearly defined by the 1951 Geneva Convention and its 1967 Protocol.
 
Referencing UNHCR data, Muhammed said the 122.1 million displaced persons affect not only border countries but all humanity, calling for greater global solidarity and legal responsibility.
 
CRITICISM OF TURKEY’S MIGRATION POLICIES
 
Muhammed cited official data showing over 2.6 million Syrians under Temporary Protection, 9,000 under International Protection, and over 1.1 million with residence permits in Turkey as of mid-2025. He noted that independent reports indicate actual migrant numbers exceed official figures.
 
He criticized Turkey’s policies as politicizing migration, increasing hate speech, and systematically targeting asylum seekers. Muhammed stressed that economic and social crises should not be blamed on refugees.
 
Highlighting serious issues accessing shelter, health, education, and work rights, Muhammed condemned inhumane conditions in Removal Centers and Temporary Accommodation Sites. He challenged government claims of 273,000 Removals to Syria, stating independent studies show many Removals are involuntary.
 
Emphasizing the absence of lasting peace in Syria, Muhammed asserted forced Removals violate international law and the non-refoulement principle.
 
WARNING OF MIGRATION WAVE FROM IRAN
 
Muhammed pointed to ongoing Iran-Israel tensions and warned of a possible new migration wave from Iran to Turkey, urging immediate preparations by Turkey and international bodies.
 
The commission concluded with calls for:
 
“*Ensuring refugees’ dignified living conditions.
 
*International action to end wars in Syria, Palestine, Iran, and elsewhere.
 
*Ending bargaining over refugee rights, hate speech, and forced Removals.”
 
A detailed report was announced to be published on the Bar Association’s website.

View More Articles

12:33 People set off from Amed for PKK's ceremony
12:22 Censorship of Ajansa Welat by Instagram
12:19 Future of process depends on the government's attitude says Journalist Er
10:42 She lost 2 children during conflicts: Commission must be established, steps must be taken
10:29 Sile Municipality Mayor Kabadayı detained
10:26 Call from Roboskî to mothers of soldiers: If we join hands, peace will come
10:13 KCK: We are determined to take the step Leader Apo has asked of us
09:27 Nature of Şirnex to be plundered with 10 new energy activities
09/07/2025
22:04 Ocalan's video message celebrated in North and East Syria
21:46 Details of the Damascus meeting: 10 March agreement must be fully implemented
21:21 Abdullah Aksu releases from prison after 31 years
21:05 DAANES and transitional government meeting ends
16:38 Mayor Karalar and Deputy Mayor Sahin dismissed
16:19 Roadmap of Ocalan for solution will contribute to shaping future says DBP Co-chair
15:40 DEM Party will be in Sulaymaniyah on 11 July says Aysegul Dogan
15:15 AANES Delegation to meet with transitional government
14:21 After 26 years Amed citizens heard Öcalan: Urgent steps must be taken
13:58 Abdullah Öcalan’s historic call echoes in international media
13:42 Politicians and intellectuals to depart for ceremony in Sulaymaniyah
11:28 Japanese Journalist: Öcalan is today’s mandela and che guevara
French MP: The real issue is what comes after disarmament
09:26 We must shoulder responsibility for unity says DBP Co-cpokesperson for diplomacy
09:03 Historic Call from Abdullah Öcalan
08:11 Historic call of Öcalan to be publish
08/07/2025
16:30 ECtHR ruling on Demirtaş: Detained for political reasons
14:47 ‘Truth Commission on Conflict and Children’ to be established
13:56 Turkey once again excludes öcalan from the "right to hope"
12:36 ISIG: 164 workers lost their lives in June
12:13 Nightlong vigil against mine in Hesendin
12:10 Release decision for journalist Ucar
11:31 Governorate declares ban to 3 regions of Elkê
11:12 Women in Ankara for 'Peace March'
11:05 İmralı Delegation and Ministry of Justice meeting postpone
10:26 Public meetings: Full trust in Öcalan, demand for equal citizenship
09:42 Alevis will convey their demands to commission to be established
09:19 If we listen to Öcalan, we can reach a solution
07/07/2025
23:33 KCK: Ceremony will proceed as planned, but it will not be broadcast live
19:45 Imrali Delegation to meet Minister of Justice
19:34 Family meeting in İmralı
16:53 İmralı Delegation: Reciprocal will to move process forward continues
16:13 Erdogan-İmralı delegation meeting end
16:00 Call of Abdullah Öcalan expected for the ceremony says Journalist Aslan
15:31 Erdogan-İmralı Delegation meeting start
15:26 Kurdish struggle inspiring says Miloon Kothari
06/07/2025
20:16 Abdullah Öcalan: We are entering a new phase
17:03 MKG: 7 women journalists detained, 2 arrested
15:34 DEM Party İmralı Delegation to meet President Erdogan tomorrow
15:04 DEM Party İmralı delegation meeting with Abdullah Öcalan end
14:02 Fire extinguished on Gabar Mountain
13:53 Young people met at the workshop: We will lead the construction of a democratic society
13:16 Committee to 'seize' Kurdish property in Afrin!