02/12/2024 | Writer: Yıldız Tar
According to a new report, Syrian trans women refugees living in Izmir cannot find a job, face exploitation and harassment when they find a job, violence is intense, there is no faith in justice and frustration is widespread...
Association for Solidarity with Refugees (Mülteci-Der) prepared a report by interviewing Syrian trans women living in Izmir. The report titled “Between Emptiness and Disorder” reveals the situation of Syrian refugee trans women in Izmir.
According to the report prepared by the association based on a focus group discussion on June 27, Syrian refugee trans women face many obstacles in adapting to life in Turkey due to being both refugees and trans women.
The report highlights language barriers, lack of legal information, social integration, discrimination in employment, violence, legal and bureaucratic difficulties, economic exploitation, security concerns and psychological strain.
“Harassment from both employers and coworkers”
Emphasizing that it is almost impossible to find a stable and qualified job due to discrimination, the report summarizes the experiences of Syrian refugee trans women in business life as follows:
“Many reported having to quit their jobs due to harassment and prejudice from both employers and coworkers.”
“Victims have little hope for justice”
Another prominent topic in the report is discrimination and violence. Women interviewed by Mülteci-Der draw attention to repeated acts of violence:
“This discriminatory treatment has led to repeated acts of violence, resulting in attacks on their homes where they have been physically harmed; although the incidents have been reported to the authorities, the legal process is slow and ineffective, leaving victims with little hope for justice; this sense of insecurity has been exacerbated by the knowledge that both the state and some segments of society are hostile to their existence.”
Syrian trans women were subjected to a lynching attempt in Izmir
On the other hand, there was a lynching attempt against Syrian trans women in Izmir last month. In Izmir's Eşrefpaşa neighborhood, a crowded group of men attempted to lynch Syrian trans women.
A crowded group of men initially hurled words at the trans women while they were walking on the street, and then attacked them with stones. On October 9th, the women who were injured in the attack, which took place in the daytime, filed a criminal complaint to the prosecutor's office.
Selin, one of the trans women who were attacked, told KaosGL.org about her experiences. Selin said that they had left the house for a walk and were suddenly attacked and said, “We have been beaten before, but this time it was not like a beating, it was as if they wanted to kill us.”
CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL STORY - Lynch attempt against Syrian trans women in Izmir
Disappointment and the danger of human trafficking
The report also draws attention to the fact that security concerns caused by intense discrimination and violence drive refugee trans women to irregular migration. This situation is conveyed in the report with the following statements:
“Some trans women refugees feel that they are at risk of physical and psychological harm, not only from the community, but also from the police and other state actors. Several participants shared stories of friends who have tried or succeeded in leaving Turkey irregularly, often through dangerous routes organized by migrant smugglers. While the risks associated with irregular migration, such as human trafficking, sexual violence and even death, are well known among the group, many participants felt that these dangerous routes were preferable to staying in Turkey under such hostile conditions.”
Urgent call from Mülteci-Der
In the conclusion of the report, Mülteci-Der emphasizes the need for urgent action and calls for the following:
“The situation of Syrian transgender women refugees in Izmir reveals deep flaws in the country's refugee policy and protection systems. Without necessary changes, this disadvantaged group will continue to suffer from legal uncertainty, economic exploitation and social exclusion. Urgent action is needed to ensure that trans women refugees receive the protection and opportunities they deserve both in Turkey and internationally.”
Click here for the report in Turkish
Tags: human rights, women, labour
1720430400.jpg)