The Advisory Council of the Turkish Red Crescent held an important meeting on July 18, 2024, in Istanbul, covering both its Asian and European branches.
The meeting was attended by Eng. Halit SAVAFOĞLU, Vice Chairman of the Syrian Businessmen Association (SURIAD), participating in his capacity as a member of the advisory council.
The meeting focused on discussing the recent events in the city of Kayseri on July 1, which involved severe racist attacks against Syrian refugees, during which their shops were vandalized, they were assaulted, and their belongings and carts were set on fire. The attendees addressed strategies for handling this situation and rejected all forms of racism.
For his part, Eng. Halit SAVAFOĞLU and several attending business leaders proposed mechanisms for communication between Syrian and Turkish companies and encouraged joint projects.
They also emphasized the importance of facilitating employment for Syrians, regardless of the province on their ID cards or type of residence permit, to make it easier for Syrians to find job opportunities.
Eng. Halit SAVAFOĞLU also emphasized the importance of reviving the concept of brotherhood between the Syrian and Turkish peoples, noting that if bonds of brotherhood were established in every Syrian and Turkish household—linking one member of each community to the other—the idea of racism would diminish, and unfortunate events like those in Kayseri would not have occurred.
The discussion also addressed the importance of simplifying legal procedures for Syrians in Türkiye and ensuring that every Syrian has the right to facilitate their social and legal matters and obtain the necessary permits.
It was also emphasized that the Turkish Red Crescent should serve as the overseer of all related matters, acting as an accredited and trusted party for both the Syrian and Turkish sides.
The meeting was attended by numerous Syrian and Turkish institutions concerned with this matter, in addition to some members and administrators of the Turkish Red Crescent. Participants listened to contributions related to the organization’s capacity and work in combating racism and protecting refugees.
Proposed ideas included psychological, social, and linguistic support, education, countering misinformation, refugee protection, and enforcing laws criminalizing hate speech and racism.
The Syrian Businessmen Association (SURIAD) affirms its continued commitment to supporting efforts aimed at strengthening cooperation between Syrian and Turkish communities and providing a safe and stable environment for Syrians in Türkiye.
“Together We Work… Together We Grow.”
#SURIAD #Turkish_Red_Crescent #Cooperation #Combating_Racism #Syrian_Employment #Refugee_Support #Türkiye #Refugees
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