Elfazi Toral 

ISTANBUL - Drawing attention to the destruction of social ties caused by the war and forced migration in the Middle East, Kamile Kandal, Co-President of GÖÇİZDER, emphasised the need for everyone to speak out and take an active role.

 

The attacks carried out by Turkey and the paramilitary groups it supports in Northern and Eastern Syria since 27 November have caused the deaths of many civilians, including women and children.

 

This war, which is rapidly spreading across the Middle East, is displacing thousands of people and forcing them to migrate to the areas created by the Democratic Autonomous Administration. The social destruction caused by the war and migration has severe consequences, especially for women and children. 

 

Kamile Kandal, Co-President of Migration Monitoring Association (GÖÇİZDER), made evaluations on the destruction of the social ties of the peoples who were forced to migrate due to wars.

 

Kamile Kandal stated that the most important issues of recent years in the world are migration, refugee problems and ecological problems, and stated that the biggest cause of these problems is wars. Kamile Kandal said, "Masses of migrants and refugees displaced by oppression and poverty are travelling around the world. In the Middle East, where regional wars are intensifying, forced displacement of millions of people continues as a result of endless civil wars and conflicts. This situation, which transcends the borders of the region and appears as an unsolvable international problem, has become the centre of regional sharing and power struggles. And unfortunately, it does not look like it will be solved in a short period of time’ and drew attention to the fact that war and migration are the harbingers of many problems along with their destruction."

 

‘People are wanted to be cut off from their historical ties’

 

Drawing attention to the effects of forced migration on the social ties of a society, Kamile Kandal said, "Human values and social ties, social relations are sacrificed to the interests of states and sectarian wars."

 

Reminding that wars are a part of cultural genocide, Kamile Kandal said, "The peoples of the region are exposed to the destruction of cities, social destruction and cultural losses that will spread over a century. People are forcibly displaced from their lands in masses; the demographic structure is wanted to be changed, people are wanted to be cut off from their historical ties as well as their social ties. The effects of social and cultural destruction cause permanent psychological traumas to the society. Social and cultural disintegration brings with it the inability to adapt to the places of migration and sometimes social degeneration. Racist reactions from the local population fuels fear and the feeling of re-migration in migrants, while causing deeper traumas in women and children."

 

‘It will affect every generation’

 

Kamile Kandal emphasised that states are trying to send migrants back in line with their own interests, and stated that the way to improve asylum laws and refugee rights is not preferred. Kamile Kandal said, "However, keeping universal human values alive in the world and returning to peace policies instead of war policies is the only solution that will solve the issue of forced migration and refugees.’ Kamile Kandal pointed out that wars cause environmental and social destruction and stated that war and migration cause severe psychological and social damage. Kamile Kandal said, ‘We are one of the countries that feel how women and children are affected by this destruction the most. The images coming from the war zones clearly show the gravity of the situation. While the wars and conflicts in Gaza, Lebanon and Syria continue with violence, in addition to the deaths, the lifelong psychology of war will affect several generations."

 

 

War, forced migration and refugee...

 

Kamile Kandal finally said the following: "While constantly migrating with a few belongings, they are travelling towards their destination with the worst memories of war and conflict in their memories, in uncertainty, under the most difficult conditions. They are forced to live in makeshift shelters or tents. Moreover, even if they improve their conditions, they always live in fear of being forced to migrate again. In the Middle East and other war zones, wars and these forced displacement policies are one of the greatest shames of this century. The fact that the world remains a bystander to both wars and genocides, as well as to the experiences of women and children, and that humanity is trapped in polarisations created by state interests and sectarian wars, shows that forced migration, refugee problems and the disappearance of the right to live humanely will continue for a long time. Human rights organisations, women's organisations and political organisations at national, regional and global levels need to speak out and play an active role. Our world needs more people who want peace."