LEARN ABOUT THE SYRIAN CRISIS
In Turkey, there are currently 3 million Syrian refugees; however, the government’s actions towards these refugees has contradicted its relatively open-border policy towards Syrians. As Turkey only recognizes refugees from Europe, Syrians are given a “temporary protection” status that allows them fewer rights, such as work and education. Less than 1% of the working-age population has been issued an official work permit, forcing Syrians into the informal job sector to survive. Syrians face incredibly low wages, long work hours, and even hazardous working conditions. Children also often work as well in order to supplement their parents’ income, resulting in only 18% of Syrian children enrolled in formal schooling and creating the potential for a “lost generation”.
Turkey has also been accused of forcibly returning refugees back to Syria, rounding up hundreds (including women and children) and returning them to Syria. This is a clear violation of international and Turkish law, which stipulates that refugees may not be forcibly returned to their country of origin. Syrians in Turkey face high levels of poverty, unemployment, and danger that the international community must address before the problem worsens.