Turkey cancels deportation orders

The following received from Committee for Humanitarian Assistance to Iranian Refugees (CHAIR) CHAIRNGO@aol.com

INTERNATIONAL EFFORTS AGAINST TURKISH GOVERNMENT SUCCESSFUL

Deportation Orders Canceled and Exit Visas Granted

20 September 1997

On March 24, 1997, the International Federation of Iranian Refugees and Immigrants Councils (IFIRIC) launched an international campaign against the Turkish government in response to its unprecedented assault against Iranian refugees. Ten days prior to the initiation of the campaign, sixty-five Iranian refugees recognized by the United Nations High Commissioner on Refugees (UNHCR) were deported to Iraq. The Turkish government had also issued a general order to deport 600 refugees who were deemed "illegal" as they were unable or unwilling to comply with the government's unfair asylum regulation that placed their lives and security at risk.

IFIRIC's unrelenting and prompt response to the Turkish government's assault succeeded in canceling the deportation orders of hundreds, gaining transit visas for those refugees who had been deported to Iraq, and gaining exit visas for those being transferred to a safe resettlement country.

IFIRIC's campaign began with demonstrations in thirteen cities in numerous countries around the world, including Australia, England, Canada, Finland, Germany, Norway, Sweden, and the United States. Hundreds of protest letters and resolutions were issued from groups and organizations world-wide. The IFIRIC-Turkey Branch also conducted an intensive publicity campaign in Turkey and gained the support of Turkish human rights organizations and progressive political parties.

Despite the overwhelming successes, advocacy efforts must continue. Though the lives of hundreds have been protected, many more remain at risk. Until the Turkish government meets all of the campaign's remaining demands, IFIRIC will continue to demand that the Turkish government:

- make immediate, interim, administrative changes to improve November 1994 regulation (Decision number 94/6169), including abolishing the five day limit, lifting the rule requiring the undocumented to apply for asylum at the border, and allowing them to apply in their town of residence; provide temporary residence to all asylum seekers; monitor police conduct; and, allow the UNHCR to carry out its mandate and defer to the UNHCR when that body recognized a person as a refugee.

IFIRIC congratulates all individuals, groups and bodies who supported the campaign for the recent successes. Through our united and organized struggle refugee rights can be protected and promoted.

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