The Stream

Are Syrian refugees being scapegoated in Turkey?

Eight years after Syria erupted in civil war, millions of displaced residents struggle to integrate amid rising resentment from locals.

On Thursday, August 29 at 19:30 GMT:

It’s been a difficult summer for Syrian refugees in Turkey, who are finding it harder to live and work without fear of harassment in their host country.

Turkey is home to the world’s largest refugee population, comprised mainly of some 3.6 million Syrians displaced by an eight-year-long civil war. The migrants were initially welcomed. But with no end to the war in sight, and Turkey’s economy flagging, public resentment of Syrians has been growing. Anti-Syrian sentiment is thought to be one reason voters rejected President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s party in recent mayoral elections in Istanbul.

Under pressure, Turkish authorities reportedly began rounding up and deporting hundreds of Syrians in July, in violation of international law. The government denies sending anyone involuntarily back to Syria, but refugee advocates say migrants are being arrested, put on buses and dropped off at the border.

Ankara also announced plans to relocate thousands of Syrians from Istanbul into other Turkish cities this summer. But it recently extended the deadline by two months to give Syrians more time to prepare for the move. However, many refugees say they have finally restarted their lives after leaving Syria and worry this new edict will rip their families and lives apart once again.

In this episode we ask, are Syrians being scapegoated in Turkey? Join the conversation.

On this episode of The Stream, we speak with:
Yusuf Erim @YusufErim79
Political Analyst, TRT World

Sarah Hunaidi @SaraHunaidi
Writer and human rights activist

Diego Cupolo @DiegoCupolo
Journalist 

Read more:
Syrian refugees in Turkey need better access to formal jobs – Brookings Institute
A rising tide of anti-Syrian xenophobia is sweeping through Turkey’s cities – The National
Deadline extended for unregistered Syrians to leave Istanbul – Al Jazeera

What do you think? Record a video comment or leave your thoughts in the comments section below.