Directorate of Communications organized the second conference as part of the “Figures Inspiring the Youth” project with the participation of Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and Yemeni activist Tawakkol Karman at Nevmekan Sahil in Üsküdar district.
Commenting on asylum seekers, Karman said that Turkey deserved, above all, praise for hosting them for years.
"Turkey’s hosting refugees will always be remembered. Both the Turkish state and people have behaved in such a manner that deserves appreciation. This attitude demonstrates Turkey’s values", Karman indicated.
Karman noted that Greece humiliated asylum seekers by refusing to open its border gates and using violence against them to deny the entry of asylum seekers into Europe, and made the following comments:
"What they are doing is a big mistake and a major crime against human rights. It is also against the refugee rights. This situation also undermines safety globally. Asylum seekers too have international rights and should be treated according to those rights. Refugees should have been supported right from the start while being exposed to violence before everyone’s eyes. They should not close their border gates to stop the asylum seekers. If they really want to stop them, and solve this problem, they should stop their dictator, namely Bashar Assad, who turned people into refugees; they should prevent Assad from killing people. The only solution is to stop Assad."
Stating that the international community as well as the Western countries had responsibility for asylum seekers, Karman said it was important to remind that refugees had rights.