Immigration Administration General Directorate of the Interior Ministry, according to data announced date of June 13, 2019 as compared to the previous month, the number of registered Syrians in Turkey by increasing 6 thousand 907 in total reached 3 million 613 thousand 644 people.
We have to admit that such a population mobility is very rare in the world. While the number of people under international protection in our country was around 60 thousand in 2011, this number has increased almost 65-70 times today. The increase in this ratio is not an ordinary event. It should also be known that expecting a society that accepts such a large number of people to continue their lives as if nothing happened will not coincide with the realities of life.
How should this problem be approached and what should be done for a solution?
1- Countries that accept much less refugees/asylum seekers than us are making long-term solutions to the problem by making “emergency action plans”. For example, although a developed country like Germany accepts close to 1 million refugees, it has decided to make this situation advantageous for itself with its plan. We should state that a long-term strategic plan should be put forward as soon as possible.
2- The state does not remove sentiment. Emotional solutions to problems only save the day. It may even cause problems to grow by spreading over time. It's important to be cool. Populism is a complete trap for such issues. This should not be trapped.
3-Hate speech brings ghettoization. Debates that directly enter the agenda of citizens on the streets, such as the beach, do not bring about healthy solutions and prevent them from seeing the whole photo. Avoiding such strange approaches is important for our social peace. There's no mistake in the diagnosis. As a society facing “Türken Raus” (Turks out) expressions, it should not be taken in the wrong ways such as to let others live. Empathy should be remembered as the key.
4- “They need us. We saved their lives. It doesn't matter what they say.” Asylum seekers' opinions should be taken in the elimination of problems and it should not be forgotten that such solutions can be found only in this way.
5- The most important thing that the authorities can do is to eliminate the concerns of their citizens. It should be made clear that adequate measures are taken in all matters, including security. Consideration should be given to how much of the assistance provided to asylum seekers from international institutions and whether it imposes an extra burden on citizens of the country. Even in rich Western countries, if economic reasons lie at the heart of anti-immigration, the fact that citizens' reactions may be justified in countries with limited opportunities like us should be considered. The questions that the public has to deal with in their daily lives, such as whether they have queue advantages, whether they are treated differently while starting a business, should be answered with all clarity. This process has only one drug; it is transparency.
6. The issue of integration into society should be handled in detail. It should be emphasized that their social and cultural capital as well as the economic capital they bring here are valuable if they are evaluated correctly. As their economic burden diminishes, their contribution in cultural spheres will be more appreciated. The education of children who come here or born here and the education of adults in addition to their previous experience will bring their confidence back. The further away from the feeling of being in need of society, the easier it will be accepted. According to statistics, around 650 thousand children can go to school today, but even though close to 500,000 children are in school age, they do not know what school is. Unfortunately, lost generations iden have already been formed. This should be addressed with an emergency code.
7- In addition to this, the foreign policy of the state should be revised and at least the future exposure to such waves should be prevented. Correction of relations with countries in the region, including Syria, is very important for the solution of the problem. In addition to soft power, political power should be used as much as possible to allow these people to return to their countries safely.