Stating that the refugee population has increased significantly in 10 districts, Tekin said, “If different nationalities live in the same neighborhood, problems arise. “There are many problems in Istanbul, but there is no solution,” he said.
Batuhan SERIM
Release: 05:30 – 20 September 2023 Updated:
Türkiye It has been the country where Syrians fleeing the civil war have taken refuge since 2011. In addition to the m migration of Syrians, thousands of Afghans, Pakistanis and citizens of African countries have made Turkey their neighbor’s door. Distribution of citizenship in exchange for property acquisition has also made Turkey a favorite country of criminal organizations.
While President Tayyip Erdoğan gave a message to the world from the USA by saying “We will continue to host nearly 5 million refugees”, former CHP Istanbul Deputy Gürsel Tekin, who has been working on the migration map since 2016, conveyed striking details.
THEIR POPULATION REACHED 20 PERCENT
Only in 10 of Istanbul’s 39 districts and 54 neighborhoods, the foreign population has reached 20 percent. A total of 10 districts, including Esenyurt, Küçükçekmece, Başakşehir, Bağcılar, Avcılar, Bahçelievler, Sultangazi, Esenler, Zeytinburnu and Fatih, and 54 neighborhoods where the foreign population reaches 20 percent of the population of Turkish citizens are closed to foreigner registration. According to official figures, 1 million 200 thousand foreigners live in Istanbul, one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of 16 million. When illegal immigrants are added, the number exceeds 2 million. Tekin gave the following details on the subject:
AS MUCH AS THE POPULATION OF A COUNTRY IN EUROPE: According to official figures, 1.2 million foreigners live in Istanbul, a mega city of 16 million people. When illegal immigrants are added, the number exceeds 2 million.
■ Most refugees are in Esenyurt district. Since there is industrial density in Esenyurt, the population accumulated there. There are 200-250 thousand people from different countries… There are serious public order problems.
■ Fatih and Zeytinburnu districts also have a high refugee population, and they work intensively in the service sector. Refugees from 20-25 different countries live in some neighborhoods in Fatih. There are serious problems here too.
■ A large number of refugees work in the textile industry in Merter, Bahçelievler and Sultangazi. Wherever there is a concentration of refugees, wherever different nationalities live in the same neighborhood, there are many problems. There are serious sociological problems, problems arising from differences. Of course, there will be problems in a place where citizens of 10-12 different countries live.
■ Istanbul is really problematic and troubled. We see the measures taken by the police, but this is not an issue that can be solved only by security measures. There are many troubles and problems in Istanbul, but there is no solution right now.
TURKEY IS A TRANSITION COUNTRY FOR AFRICANS: Türkiye is a transit country for African refugees. Every year, thousands of Africans come to Turkey by boats to reach Europe via the Mediterranean.
AFRICAN MARKET IN FATİH
Demography has completely changed in many districts of Istanbul. Africans, Arabs and Uzbeks live densely in Aksaray. Almost everyone in the neighborhood, from porters to tradesmen, from shop workers to beggars, is a foreign national. In the district where it is almost impossible to see a Turkish citizen, shop signs are not in Turkish.
The African Market, located on the ground floor of a historical business center in Fatih, frequently comes up on social media. Turkish and African tradesmen sell side by side in the market, where you can find fruits, vegetables, legumes and snacks brought from Africa, whatever you want. The majority of shopkeepers and customers are African and they speak their own language.