Turkish gov't fails to answer questions on reported abuses at İzmir repatriation center

Turkey's Interior Ministry has failed to respond to any of the questions about reported abuses and maltreatment at a repatriation center in the Aegean İzmir, main opposition CHP deputy Murat Bakan said. The deputy said that the government hasn't even investigated the claims, which prompted him to file a fourth parliamentary inquiry.

Sunday July 25 2021 02:09 pm

Duvar English

Turkey's Interior Ministry has failed to provide any answers to questions regarding reported abuses and maltreatment at a repatriation center in the Aegean province of İzmir, main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) deputy Murat Bakan said.

The ministry responded with identical standardized statements to all three of Bakan's parliamentary inquiries concerning Harmandalı Repatriation Center, the deputy said.

"These standardized statements confirm that reported claims about Harmandalı haven't been investigated, that the center isn't surveyed, and that it's run with inhumane and illegal practices," Bakan said.

Ankara's failure to investigate the claims has prompted Bakan to file a fourth parliamentary inquiry.

The deputy also recalled migrants' calls for help and food, saying that the repatriation center was similar to Guantanamo Bay Detention Camp.

Most recently, 21-year-old Syrian migrant Ahmad Maslem died in a fire at the repatriation center, Bakan said, and asked Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu for an official statement on the claims.

Bakan also inquired about the times when an inspection visit was conducted at the center over the past five years, as well as any shortcomings that were detected during the inspections.

"Which of rights violations were detected? Are there any investigations ongoing to counter these?" Bakan asked.

Bakan also asked how many people lost their lives at the repatriation center, which he said was recorded as being "suicide."