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Turkey-Kurdistan: VAN (DIHA) - The Kurdish
refugees of Iranian stock who had passed from Iran
to Iraq and then into Turkey in 2001 have gone on a
hunger strike, for they have not been sent to a
third country though they were granted right of
asylum by the United Nations (UN).
80 Kurdish exiles had fled from Iran to Iraq and
then crossed into Turkey in 2001 have started the
hunger strike in the eastern city of Van, for they
have not been sent to a third country although they
have been given right of sanctuary in terms the UN
International Refugee Law. Kurdish Exiles stating
they have the right to go to another country within
6 months said they had not yet been sent to a third
country, adding that there are 400 refugees more who
share the situation with them. Kurdish refugees
underlined that their salaries have not been paid
and they are facing hunger.
''If we send you, thousands of exiles will demand
right of asylum, too"
According to the International Refugee Law exiles
who were granted right of asylum have the right to
go to a third, says Kemal Janelipur, a Kurdish
refugee in Turkey, "Despite this we have not been
let go to another country. We were told if they sent
us, they would have to send to millions of exiles
more, too."
"We are asking the officials to see our hunger
strike here, we are also human beings. I came to
Turkey in 2001, and they have monthly had to pay US
600 to me so for up to now; yet I did receive my
salary only 6 months. We all have difficulty in
supporting ourselves, so they should us to Europe or
to another livable country. If they do not this, may
they allocate dwelling places and job opportunities
to us, so that we can lead our lives here. What we
wish is just to set up a beautiful life", continued
Janelipur.
'For the sake of humanity, I am inviting the
officials to hear our voice'
Kabat Koreyşi, a Kurdish exile, pointed out that
they had been on hunger strike in front of the Van
Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
for 20 days, and they continue with the strike till
they have come into their own right, inviting all
refugees across the world to start actions so that
rights of refugees may be granted. With 30 friends,
we have been on hunger strike here for some 20 days.
Our friends all over the Turkey are supporting us,
but we are not able to make our voice heard. None of
the Turkish TV channels has hitherto come to here to
do a news story about what the refugees have been
suffering from. We have not chosen to be exiles
ourselves. For the sake of humanity, I am inviting
the officials to hear our voice. For nearly 20 days,
we have been waiting just before that door. I have
lost 20 kilo weight and been drinking water with
sugar".
UBEYDULLAH HAKAN
www.kurdishinfo.com
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