Looking at Turkey the French way

The events that began in France after a young man of Algerian origin was killed by police on the grounds that he did not obey an order to stop, and that spun out of control, have inevitably triggered debates on France, colonialism, immigrants, racism and nationalism. There were also those who drew certain comparisons between these events and the situation of asylum seekers in Turkey.

Of course, the different dimensions of an event always prompt comparisons with events in other countries that are similar in some respects. But these are events that are "similar only in some respects." In Turkey, too, there is now a presence of asylum seekers that is not insignificant in number. It is of course possible to compare the reasons and manner of their coming to Turkey with the way the Turkish state and society view and treat them, but in such comparisons only the obvious difference between Turkey and French colonialism emerges and is understood. Conversely, the obvious difference that Turkey derives from its history and cultural identity also comes to the fore.

The immigrants who stand out today in the protests in France have in fact been in France for several generations, and nearly all of them are French citizens. They make every kind of contribution to France by serving in the military, paying taxes, and doing jobs in working life that the French could not do. They even feel themselves to be French and stand up for France on many grounds.

Between their own countries and France, it may sound strange, but it is thanks to this population that the working colonial channels are able to stay alive. For the relations between France and these people's countries of origin are still kept alive thanks to the presence and activities of this immigrant population in France. France is trying to find a way to control Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco, Senegal, Mali and many other African countries through the diasporas in its own country. Contrary to what is supposed, the immigrants in France are not a burden on France but, on the contrary, France's benefactor.

Even so, no serious program has been implemented in French society, especially among politicians, to suppress racist feelings toward immigrants, to educate them, to integrate them with France. On the contrary, a racism that has penetrated the depths of society is reflected as it is in the attitude of the police and of official institutions. France does not feel even a minimum of respect for a society it has exploited to the utmost, and shrinks from paying even a minimum price. The return for this is this anger that bursts out at certain times.

Comparing the situation of immigrants in France, their movements and their reactions to certain events with Turkey is out of the question; it is not even possible to compare them with another European country, Germany. The situation of Turks in Germany is very different. Although the Turkish workers who went to Germany wanted to go of their own accord, it can be said that the Germans felt even a sense of gratitude for their labor. Even though it admitted more than one million Syrians, generally by selecting them, we can say that a serious search and policy for integration in society is being pursued. Even the debates to the effect that these efforts at times aim at assimilation rather than integration are conducted in Germany in a cool-headed way.

Meanwhile, we can also say that a separate sensitivity is felt in order to combat the hostility toward foreigners that from time to time recurs in society, and that there is a serious search for policy in this direction too. Of course, Germany's not having had a colonial experience like France's has an important share in this.

In Turkey, on the other hand, in addition to the 3.5 million Syrians, nearly all of the immigrants, whose total number is estimated at around 4-5 million, consist of people who fled unbearable conditions in their countries and took refuge in our country. Although there are historical and cultural ties between those countries and Turkey, there is never a colonial relationship like France's. With an approach that stems from its history, its culture and its noble identity, Turkey hosted these people with the most humane approach possible. It never abandoned them to death.

On the contrary, the conditions that made those countries unlivable and pushed people toward our country are again created by countries such as, first of all France, the USA and Russia. Even in the formation of the conditions that made Syria, which today shelters 3.5 million of its citizens in our country, such that it pushes its people out, France has a clear role. France is a country that supported the Baath rule of the Assads from the beginning and kept its relations with them in good order. Again, France is on very good terms with Iran, one of the countries that made Syria unlivable for its own people, and their complicity in the formation of the present situation in Syria is very clear.

In contrast, the Syrian people, who were subjected to massacres by their own rulers, took refuge in Turkey as well as in many other countries, and Turkey treated them in the best way possible.

If there is any side in this story that can be compared with France, it is France's colonial-racist approach and the roles of those politicians in Turkey who fan racism and "xenophobia" against Syrians and turn it into a gateway to political rent.

Those who see in the immigrants in Turkey, as in the uprisings in France, a potential that could slip out of control and turn Turkey into a lake of blood are in fact confessing that they themselves possess the provocateur potential necessary for it.

If these dangerous politicians are not stopped, they may truly bring about this destruction they prophesy, with their provocateur capacity. It is something like "forcing God to bring the Last Day." Yes, to the extent these racist, disgusting provocative attitudes are left free, they can cause unrest in society. Let us say this too now, by way of speculation. Of course, if it happens, it will not be because of the attitude of the immigrants but because of those who engage in provocative discourse and behavior against them. God forbid, this country is too great to be left to these people without lineage, and with its noble, honorable nation it will not give them an opportunity.

As AK Party spokesman Ömer Çelik said, addressing precisely these murderers who report their own crimes in advance: The Republic of Turkey is pursuing a strong policy so that a climate of peace in which no one will have to leave his home and homeland is established in our region and in distant geographies, and so that people fleeing death can return to their homelands safe and sound.

As our President expressed it, "we have not only opened our doors to save the lives and honor of the oppressed, we have made, and we are making, every effort for their return to their homes. Approximately 500 thousand Syrians have returned to the safe zones that Turkey has created since 2016, when it launched its cross-border operations in the face of the deepening humanitarian tragedy in Syria. We support our strategy of keeping migration beyond the border with projects that will encourage voluntary returns..."