As the Vicdan Foundation Bursa Working Group, we visited the siblings of a Syrian young man named Hani, who was the victim of a judicial murder in İnegöl, Bursa, and offered our condolences.
There are thousands of people all over Turkey trying to rebuild their lives under the shadow of war and forced migration. The story of the three Syrian brothers we met in İnegöl is just one of these difficult struggles. Their father was taken captive by Assad's soldiers and has never been heard from since. It is unknown where he is or if he is alive. Their mother was forced to stay with her grandfather and uncle in Syria. These three young people are struggling to survive in the İnegöl district of Bursa, without any family members.
The story of these young people is not only a tragedy, but also a story of social confrontation. Despite having all the necessary permits, they and other Syrian refugees continue to be illegally employed and exploited by many employers in Turkey. This injustice once again reveals how deep a wound it has created in our society.
End of a Debate: Racism or Hate?
The incident is described as a judicial case and does not initially appear to be a racist or hate crime. However, when the underlying social prejudices and injustices are taken into account, it is obvious that such incidents must be prevented from becoming commonplace. An argument breaks out between a young Roma man and his Syrian brothers over the issue of asking for a cigarette. When the young Syrian does not give him a cigarette, the argument turns into a fight. After the incidents calm down, the young Hani is followed on a motorcycle on his way home and is stabbed 12 times by a 16-year-old Turk.
Hani's body is flown to Idlib by the Turkish state and buried there. However, since the judicial investigation is ongoing, his brothers are unable to attend the funeral and are not allowed to leave. This situation once again reveals how deep the pain of war and forced migration is.
The Power of Solidarity: After a Visit
Despite this painful story, it is also possible to see the power of solidarity. During our visit, we were told that some neighbors and colleagues visited the young people and stated that they did not receive any threats from the environment. The young people are strong in their jobs, oppressed and also exploited by some segments of our society. During this visit, we were there as volunteers of the Vicdan Foundation and had the opportunity to talk to them.
The house was clean and tidy, despite being a bachelor pad. The young people welcomed us with sincerity and respect, even offering us black coffee. Their humble necks, their fortitude in the face of injustice and hardships, deeply affected us. At the end of this visit, I felt very happy and at peace; what I gained from being with these young people and witnessing their story was priceless.
Our Teacher Osman Türk and the Impact of the Visit
During this visit, our new volunteer teacher Osman Türk accompanied us. Like a journalist, he guided the young people with the right questions and helped them express their feelings and thoughts clearly. The young people expressed their special thanks to the Vicdan Foundation and our teacher Ömer.
This visit brought a deep awareness to all of us. The story of the three brothers once again underlined the problems and responsibilities we face as a society. It reminded us that we need to work harder to be able to give them hope, to make their voices heard, and to fight against this injustice they experience. It is possible to say that this visit had an impact that touched our conscience and increased our social awareness.
The story of these young people may be one written quietly in an apartment in İnegöl, but it is our responsibility to help their voices be heard louder and help them get the justice they deserve.
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