[Sanctuarycity_hamilton] Fwd: Update re Syrian refugee crisis from meetings in Turkey

[Sanctuary City Hamilton]

Hey folks,

Here is another email with interesting info about the situation on the
ground in Turkey. We don't need to do anything with this. but just for
informations sakes.

Also really sorry this is so late.

Blake
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Hussan, S. K. <hussansk at gmail.com>
Date: Wed, Oct 21, 2015 at 10:28 AM
Subject: Update re Syrian refugee crisis from meetings in Turkey
To: noii-internal <noii-internal at masses.tao.ca>,
refugeeswelcome at googlegroups.com


Hey friends,

Just returned from Turkey where I met with a number of Syrian refugee
organizers. It was a bit difficult as the political situation is very
tense, most recently as a result of the bomb blast in Ankara which killed
approximately 90 people.

I also met with Refugee organizers from Germany – who would like to come to
Canada – and have some amazing strategies that blew me away. On that below.

I met activists with the Syrian Cultural Centre (http://hamisch.org/), who
are mostly exiled intellectuals and political activists from Syria,
previously jailed by Assad’s regime or Daesh (ISIS) and involved in the
Syrian uprising from the start. Many of them have been in Turkey for 1-2
years. Also met with social workers from Caritas, which is a church
organization working with Syrian refugees, many of whom are themselves
Syrian refugees – which is quite something as Syrians don’t have work
permits and aren’t legally allowed to work. Also visited food kitchens, and
met with Turkish activists helping people get to the EU borders.

Here are some key things that may be helpful for our collective work around
RefugeesWelcome.

1. The number one political concern is to stop the war in Syria. Between
ISIS, Russia’s interventions, Iran and the US all in there – the
displacement crisis is not going to end. So either zero intervention by
Canada, or support to oust Assad. This was echoed by intellectuals and
activists, and kids I hung out with.

2. Secondly, everyone I connected with, and it was quite a lot, did not
want to go back to Syria. These are people who have been in Turkey for a
short while or a long one, from disturbing conditions of poverty, to in
some cases well-off academics and artists. But most people don’t see
themselves returning. At the same time, most people don’t see themselves
being able to stay in Turkey. Turkey calls Syrians ‘guests’, does not
provide healthcare, work permits, education opportunities or any government
services. People that are in camps (many of them sponsored by Gulf
countries or EU countries) have very little support, and most are leaving
for Istanbul or crossing the border either over land or sea. The Turkish
government has been brutal in trying to stop border crossings – and so most
people are taking extreme risks. I shared recent articles surveying Syrians
in Turkey on what they would need to return, and people said the questions
were framed as to encourage people to return.

*Many people wanted to know how to get in touch with PSR groups, especially
political activists, or single mothers with small kids, or people with
mental or physical health concerns. I am wondering if there is a way to
connect these individuals with sponsors in Canada. Is there a cross Canada
list that people can be proposed to? Or are you working with PSR groups
that need names?*

3. The Syrian Cultural Centre is interested in getting crowdsourced funds,
as they are not interested in getting funding from imperialist governments,
or in showing that they are feeding hungry Syrians. They hold panels, art
performances and put out a journal, all of which are politicizing Syrians
(most of it is in Arabic) and building power – which really does not fit in
to the priorities of refugee support right now from major funders. Is
anyone interested in working on this?

4. I’ve compiled political positions that we have taken, as well as other
organizations and parties across Canada have taken and sent it to them, for
their feedback. They are available for consultation and direction to our
working on this issue moving forward. They are also available for media
interviews, and I think we should pitch long-form articles and exposes and
stories to Canadian media to cover their work. If you think this is a
viable option in your city, please let me know and I will work to gather
spokespeople profiles.

5.  A Turkish academic who is a key organizer with the Syrian community
will be in Toronto in mid-November. We in Toronto should set up a meeting
with her to discuss further.

If there are questions or clarifications needed, please email back or call
me - 416 453 3632

- hussan






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Sanctuary City Hamilton Team
Email: sanctuaryhamilton at gmail.com
Phone: 905-527-4572 x 23
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