All News on Social Issues in Turkey

The three ‘Lesvos grandmas’

"What did I do? I didn't do anything. I just wanted to help the girl, who was wet and tired." That is how Militsa (Emilia) Kamvisi had described her spontaneous decision to bottle-feeding the baby of a young Syrian woman who had just landed on the shores of Lesvos in the eastern Aegean after making the treacherous crossing from Turkey in October 2015.

Five migrants die as boat sinks in the Aegean, Turkish coastguard says

Five migrants died when a dinghy sank off the coast of southwest Turkey on Saturday, the coastguard said, adding that it had rescued 11 people, while Greece said five more migrants from the same wreck were found on a nearby island.

Discrimination Forces Transgender Albanians to Self-Medicate, or Go Abroad

Neither gender-affirming hormone therapy nor sex reassignment surgery is available in Albania, meaning transgender Albanians like Fiona face having to self-medicate or travel to North Macedonia, Serbia or Turkey. The costs, financial and psychological, can be huge.

Ankara summons Norwegian envoy over planned attack against Quran

The Turkish Foreign Ministry summoned Norway's Ambassador in Ankara Erling Skjonsberg on Feb. 2 and asked the Norwegian authorities to prevent a planned "attack" on the Quran.

The envoy was summoned after Ankara learned of a planned attack against the Quran on Feb. 3, the Foreign Ministry sources said.

Germany, UK, Follow Netherlands in Closing Istanbul Consulates Over Terror Threat

A view of the German Consulate in Istanbul, Turkey, 4 April 2017. Photo: EPA/SEDAT SUNA

"The German Consulate General will remain closed today, February 1, for security reasons," the consulate wrote on its Instagram page. Visa and passport appointments were also cancelled.

Far-rightists shout anti-migrant slogans at metro station

A group of about 50 far-right activists, their faces covered with black masks and carrying clubs, entered Syntagma metro station Sunday afternoon and started shouting anti-migrant slogans.

Many commuters exited the station, afraid violence would erupt.

Turkey summons Danish envoy over permission for protest

Turkey's Foreign Ministry summoned Denmark's ambassador on Friday over authorities' permission of a protest in Copenhagen scheduled for Friday, ministry sources said.

Ursula von der Leyen: Strengthening the Bulgarian-Turkish Border is a Priority

"Strengthening the key external borders of the EU, with the Bulgarian-Turkish border being a priority." This is what European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in a letter to European leaders, in which she lists measures to deal with illegal migration.

Turkey: Sweden complicit in hate crime, NATO talks pointless

Turkey's foreign minister on Thursday accused Sweden of being complicit in a "hate and racist crime" for failing to prevent weekend protests in Stockholm by an anti-Islam and pro-Kurdish groups.

Turkey condemns Quran protest in the Netherlands

Turkey's foreign ministry said Tuesday it summoned the Dutch ambassador following a demonstration targeting Islam's holy book, days after a similar protest in Sweden tensed relations.

Austrian Chancellor Nehammer before his Visit: Austria won't Let Bulgaria into Schengen

There is no change in Austria's position on Bulgaria's accession to Schengen, the Austrian Chancellor announced before his visit to Bulgaria.

Karl Nehammer and Minister of the Interior Gerhard Karner arrive in Bulgaria today. They have a meeting with President Rumen Radev, with whom they will visit the Bulgarian-Turkish border together.

Greece needs EU help to protect external borders, minister says

Protecting Greece's borders requires the support of the European Union, the country's Citizens' Protection Minister Takis Theodorikakos told 27 foreign ambassadors during a visit in the northeastern town of Alexandroupoli, where he briefed them about the Akritas plan to protect the border with Turkey at Evros.

Police smash gang that smuggled migrants into Greece in trucks

Greek police said on Friday they have smashed a criminal gang that smuggled migrants packed into trucks across the border with Turkey for up to 4,000 euros each.

Police have so far arrested seven suspects on charges of forming a criminal investigation, while at least 20 more have been identified.

EU border chief pledges transparency, no illegal pushbacks

The new executive director of European Union border agency Frontex pledged Thursday to ensure that illegal pushbacks of migrants trying to reach Europe wouldn't take place under his watch.

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