Turkish Government Memorandum Regarding

TO Osman Gunes, Deputy Minister of the Interior, governing body of flop FROM Tolgahan P? narsayha, Political Advisor to the judicature of Turkey DATE 10/3/2012 eccentric Addressing the Syrian Refugee Crisis Summary The Turkish government has spent over $300 million providing for refugees fleeing the conflict in Syria 1. As a neighboring country with important links to Syria through culture and religion on board being a democratic country that recognizes worldwide laws regarding refugees, Turkey has an obligation to continue to admit civilians from Syria into its grey provinces.By analyzing Turkeys political ideals, its adherence to world(prenominal) laws and its ties to Syria and the Islamic world, I emphasize the Governments duty towards addressing the refugee crisis above any other related issue (as will be further discussed) in this report. Problems associated with the Governments Allocation of Resources Important issues that may have a bearing on Turkeys provision of ade quate resources to refugees include its support for the Syrian rebels lack of international action in Syria and lack of international assistance to Turkey in providing aid and accommodation to refugees 1.These issues may need to be addressed before the Government stooge completely fulfill its duty towards the safeguarding of innocent civilians. Turkeys Responsibility as a Regional Power The throttle between Turkey and Syria stretches 877 km, and is for both countries the lasting land border they share with a neighbor 2. This is significant as the Turkish Government can expect to take in comparatively larger numbers of refugees with relation to Syrias other border shows. In the past Our responsibility to accept refugees at arises from the fact that both Turkey and Syria share protracted historical, cultural and religious ties.Both are members of the OIC and are Muslim countries, and in the eyes of the Islamic world, Turkey has an self-regulating duty to house fellow Muslims flee ing from the violence. This responsibility is more than important for Turkey because it has interests in maintaining strong dealing with the predominantly Muslim Arab world by accepting refugees it is also portraying an image of solidarity with the Syrian people, and this would armed service strengthen ties with the Arab world which, in light of recent protests for freedom and democracy which have been collectively termed as the Arab Spring, is largely in support of Syrian opposition forces.International Obligations towards the Protection of Victims of Prosecution Turkey is a member of the United Nations (UN), the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), tercet international agencies that determine the laws and relations that Turkish Government is bound by while it addresses the ongoing refugee crisis in the countrys southern provinces.In adherence with international law and as an upholder of Turkeys democratic and liberal i deals, the Turkish Government has a basic duty to protect and provide refuge to Syrian refugees fleeing from persecution, as stated in the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Options Re-allocating resources or calling for international assistance From the outset of the war the Turkish Government has undoubtedly been in support of the rebel cause. The Government must seriously cipher the impact this may be having on its allocation of resources to accepting and suit refugees.As previously mentioned, international laws dictate that civilians fleeing persecution have a right to seek refuge in a impertinent country. Therefore the Governments main priority as a foreign state should be to funnel resources into construction adequate facilities for civilians. In direct relation to this, Turkey should also consider how its participation in the Syrian conflict will benefit the Syrian people and at the alike time how it will benefit the economy and security of Turkey. Public support for Turkeys foreign policy towards Syria is low and the public view of the Governments handling of the conflict is largely negative.While the Government stands for the freedom of Syrian people it needs to seriously re-evaluate its position it is a neighbor country and wherefore has no duty to react to the internal political situation in Syria until an international consensus can be reached. Until that point it should focus on strengthening the Turkish border, screening incoming refugees and providing facilities for them. Recommendations The refugee crisis is just one smorgasbord of the greater humanitarian catastrophe that has resulted from the Syrian uprising.Although Turkeys interests and obligations lie in protecting persecuted civilians, it must also consider wider issues regarding the conflict, including the impact of its support for Syrian opposition forces, as well as more pertinent humanitarian issues like the displacement of Syrians within Syria itself. The Government sh ould therefore continue to lobby the international community to take action in Syria more than this, it should seek assistance from international governments in building refugee camps and providing aid to civilians, in order to supplement dwindling resources.