Racism in Turkey against refugees and foreigners in general, especially Syrians, has recently escalated, amidst stable real facts and systematic media exaggeration that serves to increase the rift between Turks and foreigners residing on Turkish soil. Between those who deny racism and those who exaggerate it, many refugees lose their rights and the ability to live safely and comfortably in Turkey. 

When did racism against refugees appear in Turkey?

In general, the phenomenon of racism against Syrian refugees in Turkey is considered to have begun nearly 11 years ago, especially with the association of the presence of Syrians in Turkey with the electoral programs of both the opposition and the government in Turkey. 

Sensitivity against the presence of refugees has increased through fueling racial tension by disseminating rumors on social media platforms, evolving into systematic partisan discourses and electoral slogans. However, since 2020 and until today, with the deterioration of the economic situation in Turkey, racism has become one of the reactions linked to the economic conditions and the presence of Syrians and Arabs in Turkey. The most dangerous outbreak occurred at the beginning of 2023, with the approach of parliamentary and presidential elections in Turkey. 

The situation spiraled out of control, transforming into organized, repeated crimes fueled by slogans against the ruling party in Turkey, and benefitting from the Turkish government's leniency towards restraining racists under the pretext of not provoking the Turkish people before the elections, especially with the declining popularity of the Justice and Development Party and the ruling alliance in general. 

What are the reasons for the emergence of racism against refugees and foreigners in Turkey? 

There are many reasons behind the emergence of racist behaviors against foreign residents in Turkey, including refugees, which can be summarized as follows: 

The political conflict between the government and the opposition in Turkey 

The political scene in Turkey is characterized by polarization and controversial debates. The ongoing political conflict between the government and the opposition has created an environment where divisive rhetoric can thrive. 

Some political leaders exploit this division, using foreigner hatred and anti-refugee sentiments as tools to garner support or distract attention from other issues.

The economic situation and the conditions facing the Turkish economy 

Due to economic challenges, including unemployment and inflation, some segments of the population have viewed refugees and foreigners as contributors to economic pressure. Unfortunately, these perceptions have intensified feelings of hatred and hostility towards refugees, which have later evolved into racist actions and reactions.

Moreover, the continuous remarks by the Turkish president and several Turkish officials about supporting refugees and providing financial aid have negatively fueled hatred among hardline nationalists who link the deteriorating economic situation with the Turkish government's payment of billions of dollars to manage the affairs of refugees on its territory. 

The fears of extreme nationalists regarding demographic change in Turkey 

Extreme nationalist groups often express concerns about demographic change, as the large influx of refugees and migrants to Turkey in recent years has raised fears among some nationalists regarding the potential alteration of their cultural and demographic composition, especially in major cities like Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir. These fears have often manifested in the form of racist actions.

For instance, this event has been repeated in several Turkish provinces; when a crime is committed by a refugee against a Turkish citizen, racist demonstrations demand the expulsion of all foreigners, and slogans expressing fear of the growing power and presence of foreigners in Turkey emerge, to the extent that they can no longer be resisted, according to the racists. 

Organized media propaganda inciting against refugees and foreigners 

Media plays a crucial role in shaping public perceptions. In many cases, Turkish media or platforms have engaged in organized campaigns inciting hostility towards refugees and foreigners, through politicized reports aimed at spreading more hatred particularly against Syrians and foreigners in general. 

Provocative reports, dissemination of false narratives, and biased coverage can contribute to creating negative stereotypes and discriminatory attitudes, especially since it is noticeable in Turkey that opposition media is much stronger and more active than the Turkish government's media. 

The absence of religious and moral motivations among those inciting racism 

Contrary to the teachings of Islam, the predominant religion in Turkey, some instigators of racism may lack religious or moral motivations in their actions. It is known that Islam is a religion of mercy, compassion, and hospitality towards strangers, including refugees. Nevertheless, individuals who embrace racist beliefs may disregard these principles, and their nationalist fervor often overshadows their commitment to noble religious principles and humane instincts. 

The majority of individuals involved in racist crimes against refugees in Turkey have criminal records and possess unstable cultural backgrounds distant from the tolerance of the Islamic religion, which is one of the reasons for the spread of racism in Turkey among these circles. 

Where is the exaggeration in the news about racism in Turkey? 

Despite our discussion about the existence of clear and explicit actions that indicate pure racism, sometimes reaching violence, arson, or threats thereof, there is systematic media exaggeration when discussing any act or incident involving a refugee on one side and a Turkish citizen on the other, labeling it as a racist incident.

We are talking about a country with 83 million native citizens and over 15 million foreign residents among refugees, tourists, and others. Therefore, it is expected that incidents, or tensions, or disputes occur; this is natural in any society, and not every transgression by any party can be labeled as racism. 

Unfortunately, the dishonesty in addressing these issues has led to a loss of trust among many in the credibility of discussions about racism against refugees in Turkey. Furthermore, the Turkish government has become more lenient towards racist actions, regarding many reports on racism as attacks on the Turkish community.

There are journalists and activists residing outside Turkey who have played a significant role in exaggerating the news and rumors regarding racism, reaching a generalized discourse directed against Turks in general. This is a mistaken and harmful discourse for Syrians and Arabs living there, as it deepens the gap between them and the Turkish people and obstructs coexistence and integration within society. 

Are the Turkish government's steps capable of curbing racist practices?

In countries that respect themselves, the law must be the decisive factor in preventing any practices that lead to racial crimes or fuel feelings of hatred and animosity. Governments take full responsibility for this, bearing the consequences of their negligence in fulfilling their duties.

In reality, the Turkish government is not carrying out organized operations to combat racism, except for sporadic campaigns to arrest officials and publishers on media platforms that directly incite racism in Turkey. 

Recently, the Turkish government has felt increased concern after racist acts reached a dangerous level, threatening tourism in Turkey, which is one of the country's important economic resources. 

However, the government still deals cautiously with this issue, often turning a blind eye to racist discourse and only intervening in the event of a major crisis. Some attribute this to fears of losing popular support in the municipal elections in 2024, especially after the decline in popularity of the ruling party in major provinces. 

Therefore, it is believed that these steps may not be effective in fully curbing repeated racist practices against Syrians, Arabs, and foreigners in general in Turkey. The path remains long to halt racist behaviors, and the future of coexistence between Turks and foreigners on Turkish territory remains uncertain unless Turkish law firmly stands against racism.