The problems in Turkish relocation centers where migrants are detained do not end there. We have received three consecutive reports from relatives of Turkmen migrants held in the Kayseri deportation center in Turkey that several Turkmens have been beaten.
“About 10 of my compatriots were beaten by Turkish guards. Some received injuries of varying severity. They beat on the legs, ribs, head...,” one of the eyewitnesses, held in the same deportation center and managed to contact us, also said.
The incident occurred on June 4, 2023 at 21:00 between the Turkmens and the center’s security during dinner. According to some reports, the cause of the incident could have been a violation of the eating order. “A team of doctors was called for the victims, but no assistance was provided to them and no one was taken to the hospital,” - added the eyewitness. On the same day, the victims were transferred to an unknown location. The names of some of them are known - Myalik, Tangri, Mergen and Yusuf.
We reported this case to Turkish human rights organizations and conveyed the migrants' request for assistance. After this, a message from the Turkish publication Hak Söz haber appeared: “Other citizens of Turkmenistan located in the center went on a hunger strike in protest and the authorities are expected to make a statement on this matter.”
This is the third such case since the beginning of 2023, when Turkmens detained there have been beaten in deportation centers. Earlier, on April 13 , a similar incident occurred in the deportation center of the city of Tuzla, and on February 18 in Chankyry.
Turkmens held in Turkish deportation centers stay there for six months or more, mainly due to expired Turkmen passports and local documents that allow them to stay in Turkey legally. The leaders of Turkish deportation centers are trying to “reach out” to Turkmen diplomats. However, their efforts are met with a refusal to recognize their citizens and issue them passports.
Neither the authorities of Turkmenistan, especially representatives of diplomatic missions in Turkey, nor the official media, nor the Turkmen Ombudsman comment on the problems of migrants.
Turkmen Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights
