Lawyer Ceylan Ukay, a member of the Van Bar Association’s Migration and Human Rights Commission, told ANF that the extraordinary measures at the border and the construction of walls are forcing migrants to attempt crossings during the winter months, which leads to deaths.

The tragedy of refugees at the North-East (Bakur-Rojhilat) border continues. Last year, 22 people and this year, 8 migrants so far lost their lives due to hypothermia after failing to cross the border.  In recent years, the extraordinary measures taken at the Iranian border, along with the construction of walls and the digging of ditches, have led migrants to prefer the winter months for attempting to cross into Turkey, as security measures are relatively less strict during that time. But this has resulted in new tragedies. The Van Bar Association’s Migration and Human Rights Commission continues its work concerning the deaths at the border.

Migrants have no access to lawyers, nor are they informed about their rights

Lawyer Ukay said that once refugees arrive at the Removal Center (GGM), a deportation decision is made with the assistance of an interpreter. She stated: "An administrative detention order is also issued. Administrative detention order means that the person will be monitored during their stay at the GGM, and then the deportation decision will be communicated to them. During this process, the person is not assigned a lawyer, and no information is provided about how they can reach a lawyer. However, migrants have the right to seek legal assistance from lawyers."

People at risk in their country have the right to cross the border

Lawyer Ukay noted that there were only three applications to the Van Bar Association’s Migration and Human Rights Commission this year and eight last year, and added: "Recently, around 30 cases of hypothermia-related deaths have occurred, but despite all our applications, no progress has been made. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights clearly states that a person has the right to cross the border if they are at risk in their own country. But our domestic laws and current political developments prevent the implementation of this right."

Migrants cross the border in winter when there are less controls

Lawyer Ukay talked about the increase in deaths in winter months and said: "The construction of walls and the strengthening of security measures at the Iranian border have become significant steps to prevent the crossing of irregular migrants. Refugees know that security measures are weaker during the winter months, which is why they prefer this  period to attempt crossing. Van, being close to the Iranian border, sees a high number of refugee crossings. During these crossings, there are numerous illegalities and human rights violations. Refugees, especially from Iran, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, try to cross into Van. Two months ago, a decision was made in Iran to deport Afghan refugees, yet, crossings increased."

New legal regulations are needed both in Turkey and internationally

Lawyer Ukay said that more legal regulations are needed to stop the deaths at the border, and added: "This is not only true for Turkey but also for Europe. Turkey is a transit country for refugees. Refugees are coming from Iran, Afghanistan, and Pakistan but they are not coming to stay here. They want to move on to Europe. Therefore, new regulations are needed both at the national and international levels."