Xenophobia against Syrian refugees on rise: Turkish government

Turkish officials roll up sleeves aganist the xenophobia toward 1.128 million Syrian refugees as the biometric registration of 740,000 Syrians is finalized Turkish officials have finally decided to take measures against growing xenophobia against Syrian refugees, issuing a joint statement that acknowledged the hostility toward the newcomers and vowing to fight discrimination.

Turkey’s disaster agency AFAD, under Deputy Prime Minister Beşir Atalay, held a meeting on Aug. 22 with relevant ministers, governors and mayors in order to discuss ways to handle increasingly challenging problems in cities between Syrians and local people.

The issues of health, education, the economy, the workforce, women, the family, public safety, legal arrangements, smuggling, border security and others were assessed in the meeting, according to a joint statement by the participating institutions.

The joint statement indicated that Turkish officials acknowledged that Syrian refugees were likely to remain permanently in Turkey, as it noted how efforts at the schooling of Syrian children would be intensified.

Government efforts for education of Syrian children will be extended, and the government will encourage them to learn Turkish in order to minimize social problems, said the statement on Aug. 23.
Syrians under “temporary protection” display gratitude to Turkish people at every turn and pay maximum attention to integrate into society, read the statement.

“Despite this positive attitude and efforts, some provocations and disinformation stir up xenophobia and discrimination,” said the statement. 

Current efforts that have been undertaken with state institutions and civic...