Baladi - Coverage
The Hurriyet newspaper published a report that says some 50,000 Syrians are reportedly cooperating to come up with a parliamentary nominee, organizing a petition in the Yayladağı and Antakya districts of the southern province of Hatay as well as in the nearby province of Osmaniye.
The group has collected 5,000 signatures to nominate Samir Hafez, former head of the Syrian Turkmen Council, for the ruling Justice and Development Party. The group aims to collect 30,000 signatures and has informed the Turkish Presidency of its aim.
“It is not important whether it is me or someone else who is nominated. What is important is that these people, like all other minorities, need a quota in parliment to be represented. Perhaps 120,000 to 130,000 people will be given Turkish citizenship soon. And this number may rise,” Hafez said.
He also spoke about problems in the fields of education, healthcare and citizenship.
Turkey, through the state authorities and various NGOs, has put on a legendary performance so far, helping more than 3.5 million refugees. We can say that we have passed a test as a society: Rejections and individual criticisms have all stayed relatively low-key in contrast to society’s overall impressive hospitality.
At the end of the report, the reporter wished Hafez good luck and said if Hafez managed to get a seat in the Turkish Parliament he will not only speaks for Syrians but also becomes the voice of Iraqi, Afghan and other refugees in this country.
Source: Hurriyet Newspaper