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Hurriyet Daily News, Turkey
Feb 11 2012
Asylum seekers say they will stay despite new law
Vercihan ZiflioÄ?lu
ISTANBUL - Hürriyet Daily News
Despite a new residence law that limits foreigners' stay in Turkey,
many asylum seekers, gathering every Thrusday in Kumkapı say they will
continue living in the country regardless of the consequences.
Many asylum seekers and illegal immigrants have said they will
continue living in Turkey regardless of the consequences following a
new law that limits foreigners' stay in the country.
`I have been living as a fugitive for years. Undoubtedly, I would be
unable to return to Turkey if I revealed my identity just once, and
that would spell my end. I have no financial basis to hang onto life,'
Ms. Asdghik, a 60-year-old immigrant from Armenia who has been living
in Turkey for seven years, told the Hürriyet Daily News.
Illegal immigrants and asylum seekers of all types and diverse origins
gather before the Turkish-Armenian Patriarchate in Istanbul's Kumkapı
district every Thursday to receive clothing and food aid provided for
by the city's Armenian community and the Turkish Red Crescent.
Among the recipients of the aid are not just Armenians, but also
Georgians, Azerbaijanis, Nigerians, Iraqis, Afghans and Somalis.
Financial constraints
Ms. Asdghik, who is among 3,000 illegal immigrants and asylum seekers
provided for by the Patriarchate, said she was trying to make ends
meet by working as a housemaid and with the assistance she receives.
She said she had not been able to visit Armenia and see her relatives
for seven years due to financial constraints.
`I live in constant fear of deportation. I have not left Turkey for 10
years. Surely I would be penalized severely and never be able to
return back [if I left the country],' Ms. Seyra, a Georgian citizen
who arrived in Turkey to find employment, told the Daily News.
Ms. Seyra has also expressed great concern in relation to a new law
that came into effect on Feb. 1
The law allows foreign citizens entering the country with a
tourist visa to stay in Turkey for three months, after which time they
will be obliged to wait for another three months abroad before
re-entry.
Certain other residents of foreign origin may also be able to stay in
the country by paying exorbitant insurance premiums.
`Large numbers of illegal immigrants and refugees live in this
vicinity. There are people from all nations, but our troubles and
concerns are identical. I hope they do not deport us destitute people
from here with the new law,' Ms. Ghanımbala, a 45-year-old Azerbaijani
residing in the district of Kumkapı, told the Daily News.
The patriarchate is striving to provide aid to 3,000 illegal
immigrants and refugees within the limits of their means, according to
Linda Süme, the head of the Patriarchate's Clothing, Wares and Food
Aid Branch.
February/11/2012
Feb 11 2012
Asylum seekers say they will stay despite new law
Vercihan ZiflioÄ?lu
ISTANBUL - Hürriyet Daily News
Despite a new residence law that limits foreigners' stay in Turkey,
many asylum seekers, gathering every Thrusday in Kumkapı say they will
continue living in the country regardless of the consequences.
Many asylum seekers and illegal immigrants have said they will
continue living in Turkey regardless of the consequences following a
new law that limits foreigners' stay in the country.
`I have been living as a fugitive for years. Undoubtedly, I would be
unable to return to Turkey if I revealed my identity just once, and
that would spell my end. I have no financial basis to hang onto life,'
Ms. Asdghik, a 60-year-old immigrant from Armenia who has been living
in Turkey for seven years, told the Hürriyet Daily News.
Illegal immigrants and asylum seekers of all types and diverse origins
gather before the Turkish-Armenian Patriarchate in Istanbul's Kumkapı
district every Thursday to receive clothing and food aid provided for
by the city's Armenian community and the Turkish Red Crescent.
Among the recipients of the aid are not just Armenians, but also
Georgians, Azerbaijanis, Nigerians, Iraqis, Afghans and Somalis.
Financial constraints
Ms. Asdghik, who is among 3,000 illegal immigrants and asylum seekers
provided for by the Patriarchate, said she was trying to make ends
meet by working as a housemaid and with the assistance she receives.
She said she had not been able to visit Armenia and see her relatives
for seven years due to financial constraints.
`I live in constant fear of deportation. I have not left Turkey for 10
years. Surely I would be penalized severely and never be able to
return back [if I left the country],' Ms. Seyra, a Georgian citizen
who arrived in Turkey to find employment, told the Daily News.
Ms. Seyra has also expressed great concern in relation to a new law
that came into effect on Feb. 1
The law allows foreign citizens entering the country with a
tourist visa to stay in Turkey for three months, after which time they
will be obliged to wait for another three months abroad before
re-entry.
Certain other residents of foreign origin may also be able to stay in
the country by paying exorbitant insurance premiums.
`Large numbers of illegal immigrants and refugees live in this
vicinity. There are people from all nations, but our troubles and
concerns are identical. I hope they do not deport us destitute people
from here with the new law,' Ms. Ghanımbala, a 45-year-old Azerbaijani
residing in the district of Kumkapı, told the Daily News.
The patriarchate is striving to provide aid to 3,000 illegal
immigrants and refugees within the limits of their means, according to
Linda Süme, the head of the Patriarchate's Clothing, Wares and Food
Aid Branch.
February/11/2012