Positive Living Association » Refugee Support Services

Gender-Based Violence: Gender-based violence includes all kinds of violence that a person is exposed to because of his/her sex and gender. When it comes to violence, the first thing that usually comes to mind is physical violence, but forms of psychological violence are as prevalent as physical violence and adversely affect one’s body and soul integrity.

Discrimination: Discrimination is often made for reasons such as race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, profession, age, language, religion, belief, national or social origin, property, disability, political or other opinions. Discrimination also includes obstacles to the recognition of one´s liberty or restrictions of such. A discriminatory treatment can be made indirectly for obvious reasons, or indirectly by ignoring or not observing special needs.

Hate speech: Hate speech means any written or verbal forms of expression including racist, gender and heterosexist hate, xenophobia, as well as intolerant, insulting and threatening expressions. Hate speech promotes, encourages, defends and justifies other forms of hate, such as nationalism, racism or patriarchy, discrimination and hostility towards minorities and migrants.

Hate crime: Hate crime means violent crimes against individuals or groups that are committed because of race, language, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, occupation or ethnicity. Hate crimes might also occur as a result of systematic violence and discrimination.

Violence: Violence means all kinds of acts and actions that hurt the life, freedom, will, health and integrity of the exposed person. It includes acts and actions which temporarily or permanently hinder a person’s existence. Violent behaviors are undertaken by the perpetrator for various material and moral interests, such as demonstrating superiority or domination over the opponent, enforcing the desired state and action, showing superiority, earning respect or similar.

Physical Violence: Physical violence includes all kinds of attacks on the body, including actions such as slapping, kicking, shaking, choking, scaring, hair pulling, forcing someone to live in unhealthy conditions, torturing and killing.

Psychological (emotional) violence: Psychological violence targets the mental health and integrity of a person. This might include repetitive actions that are extreme, persistent, and repetitive. Examples for psychological violence are actions such as constant shouting, scaring, swearing and insulting, restricting communication with others, interfering with someone’s clothing, damaging objects, hurting animals, threatening and blackmailing.

Economic violence: Economic violence is the use of material resources and economic power for reasons such as punishments, threats and control. Economic violence also includes punishing a person by not giving her/him money (even though the financial situation might allow it), confiscate goods and souvenirs, prevent a person from working or force a person to work – all without the person’s consent.

Sexual violence: Sexual violence means that someone is forced to sexual acts without consent. Sexual coercion can have different forms and dimensions such as harassment or rape. During sexual violence, a person is forced to have sexual intercourse without any consent. Sexual violence is even possible while being married.

Sexual violence might also include sexual harassment, forcing someone to produce sexually explicit material, harming sexual organs, forcing someone to sexual contact in exchange for money, forcing someone to abort or forcing someone to be pregnant, having virginity control of women, and others.

Sexual harassment: Sexual harassment includes persistent and involuntary sexual approaches, speaking, behaviors and contacts. Sexual harassment can be committed by words, glances, body language, mail and e-mail. It can also be done by messaging, kissing or sending gifts that are unwanted by the other person and that imply sexuality.

Sexual abuse: Sexual abuse occurs if a person is involuntarily used for sexual behaviors of others, namely if a person is abused, and forced by others for their sexual purposes without consent.

Incest: Incest means sexual intercourse with close relatives such as mother, father, sister, grandparent, uncle, aunt.

Incest might occur with our without consent. Sexual intercourse between close relatives might also be a result of sexual abuse and sexual harassment based on threatening, deception, oppressing, coercing. Incest is very difficult to understand as it is a social taboo.

Intimate Partner Violence: Intimate Partner Violence includes any kinds of behavior of control or domination that may be harmful to partners or ex-partners at different levels. It includes actions such as observing, monitoring disdaining, questioning, isolation or restricting friendships of the other person. Furthermore, it includes not taking responsibility for events, threatening self-harm or threatening suicide.

Digital violence: Digital violence includes all different kinds of threats such as emailing, text messaging, social media messaging and other technology and digital-based methods, blackmailing, abuse, etc. Digital violence also includes all sorts of behaviors leading to general violence because of the use of digital instruments.

Domestic violence: Domestic violence includes all sorts of behaviors and attitudes that cause physical, psychological, economic and sexual violence. Domestic violence describes a violent situation among persons who are family members or persons who share the same household or living environment.

Stalking: Stalking means the persistent and willful following of a person. Stalking might also include the acts of spying on the life of a partner or ex-partner, pressure on the other to know when and where that person is/was, constant phone calls, repetitive behavior over a period of time, frightening and suppression.

Human trafficking: Human trafficking is the sale and disposition of persons against money for sexual slavery, forced labor or sexual exploitation. Human Trafficking can be made for different purposes such as buying a person for marriage, forcing a person to the sale of his/her organs and tissues, or forcing someone to make a surrogacy or external fertilization.

Commercial sexual exploitation of children: The commercial sexual exploitation of children means that children are forced to sexual intercourse with adults. These children are used for other people’s sexual pleasure in exchange for money, goods or benefits. The children might be put into this situation by relatives or strangers.

Punishment of violence

The fact that violence is not visible does not mean that violence does not exist and does not affect people in a negative way. In fact, violence might not be physically visible but still affect people very seriously.

Any form of violence must be prevented and the perpetrator of violence must be punished and made responsible for it.

Social justifications for violence such as honor, tradition and customs (including arguments such as “non-marital relationships”, “child ownership”, “non-virginity”, “divorce”, “separation”, “wish to work”) are often cited as justifications for violent behavior. However, such excuses for one´s behavior do not at all mitigate the responsibility and punishment for any violent behavior.

Violence and Basic Human Rights

Violence, for which reason whatsoever, is unacceptable and furthermore a fundamental violation of human rights, both in the international human rights protection mechanisms and in the Turkish national legislation.

Violence must be prevented and, if it occurs, must be penalized.

The most important international conventions for the prevention of gender-basedviolence are the following:

– The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR);

– The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW);

– The Istanbul Convention (Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence).

The commitment to these international conventions give the signatory countries the obligation to establish measures and safeguards that are necessary to prevent gender-based violence.

The Istanbul Convention emphasizes that gender- based violence can affect women as well as men.

With regards to refugees, article 60 of the Istanbul Convention asks the states to accept Gender-Based Asylum Claims. This has a direct impact on theinternational protection status of refugees.

When it comes to gender-based asylum claims, states have several obligations:

– Taking legal measures so that gender-based violence against women is recognized as a form of serious damage that requires compulsory and complementary/secondary protection,

– Recognition of a refugee status to applicants if all grounds for a refugee status are interpreted in a socially sensitive mannerand the danger of persecution is identified with this interpretation,

– Decisions have been taken to ensure that the adoption procedures and support mechanisms for the asylum procedure are socially sensitive,

– The protection of the refugee status and the establishment of social protection must also be interpreted in a socially sensitive way with regards to all applications and asylum procedures.

Furthermore, the provisions of Article 4 of the Istanbul Convention on Fundamental Rights, Equality and Non-Discrimination prohibit discrimination on the grounds of sex, gender, race, color, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, association with a national minority, property, birth, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, state of health, disability, marital status, migrant or refugee status, or other status.

The Law on Foreigners and International Protection (LFIP) defines people who have been subjected to gender-based violence as persons with special needs and furthermore states that victims of violence shall be provided with the adequate medical treatment they need. Furthermore, article 55 states that victims of violence cannot be deported until their case is resolved.

The National Action Plan on Combating Violence against Women , prepared by the Turkish Ministry of Family and Social Policies, includes activities to protect refugee women against violence.

Some of these activities include:

– Ensuring that refugee women and children benefit from protective and preventive services;

– Organizing the Violence Prevention and Monitoring Centers in a manner that refugee women can benefit from their services;

– Ensuring that refugee women can also benefit from the Social Support Line by dialling “183”;

– Considering refugees and their needs while preparing the materials for combating violence;

– Including refugee women in local and national studies.

Mechanisms for Protection Against Violence and the Implementation of These Mechanisms

If you think you are exposed to violence or at risk of violence, you can contact various agencies and organizations to complain or to ask for protection, regardless of the perpetuator of violence (spouse, lover, police, doctor, humanitarian worker, or other).

If you are suffering from violence, or you are witnessing someone who is suffering from violence, you can contact the following authorities:

– Governors’ Offices and District Governors’ Offices;

– Police Stations;

– Gendarmerie Stations;

– Public Prosecutor’s Offices or Family Courts;

– Provincial Directorates of Family and Social Policies ;

– Violence Prevention and Monitoring Centers;

– Emergency Health Services;

– Bar Associations;

– Professional Healthcare Organizations;

– Non-governmental Organizations working on women, children, or young people

According to the Turkish legislation, no fees for such services can be charged. Therefore, all services in the above-mentioned agencies and organizations are free of charge.

In case of an emergency situation and in case you cannot reach the relevant service providersdirectly, you can also call the following emergency hotlines:

– Call 155 for Police Support

– Call 156 for Gendarmerie Support

– Call 183 for Social Service Support

– Call 144 for Social Assistance

– Call 112 for all kinds of Emergencies

– Call 187 for the Support Line Against Human Trafficking

When you are exposed to violence:

You can contact the Police Stations or the Gendarmerie Stations

– Tell the personnel at the police or gendarmerie stations what you have experienced and ask them to keep a record. In some cases, if such a report is intentionally missed by the personnel or if the personnel does not want to share it with you, please request and insist on it. Do not sign the file before having read it and keep a copy of the file you sign.

– You must be referred to a hospital to obtain a medical report of the assault. If no referral is done, ask to be referred to a hospital in order to get a medical report of the assault before the police/gendarmerie report is made.

– The police staff or gendarmes do not have the right to enter a doctor’s office. Ask your doctor for support in case this rule is violated.

– According to the Turkish Code of Criminal Procedure (CCP), you have the right to be assisted by a lawyer. You can request that while being at the police or the gendarmerie station. You do not have to give your testimony before the lawyer arrives. You are allowed to wait for the lawyer before giving your witness´ statement and before signing any report.

– Apart from the CCP, you can also ask for legal support from bar associations and non-governmental organizations.

– The victim and the perpetrator shall never be kept in the same place. If this is the case, talk about your discomfort with the police and the gendarmerie and remind them of their responsibility not to keep you in the same place.

– If you are exposed to violence by the police and the gendarmerie, you can go directly to the prosecutor’s office to file a complaint.

You can directly contact the Emergency Services of Hospitals to get a medical report

– Although there is no time limit for obtaining the medical report, you shall go to the emergency services of the nearest hospital as soon as possible. Tell the doctor about the events you have experienced. You should be examined as soon as possible. It is important to report the incidences and to have a medical examination before the marks on your body will disappear.

– Sexual and physical violence can often only be documented with a medical report. Therefore, any kind of fingerprints, hair, rash, infected blood or body fluids can be used as evidence of GBV for the medical report. For this reason, don’t change your clothes, don’t take a shower, and don’t use makeup before going to the emergency services.

– If you are not confident to file a complaint, you can still get a medical report and talk to your doctor so that the judicial process will not be started right away.

– If you do not feel ready to go to a hospital, you can take photos of the traces of violence before they are lost. Make sure that the photographs are taken in a way that proofs that the scars are yours and make sure that the date when the photography was taken is visible.

You can directly go to the prosecutor's office for filing a complaint

– After having experienced any violent event, especially after encountering violence by the police, gendarmerie and health personnel, you can go to the prosecutor’s office in your area and file a complaint. Be sure to keep a copy of the complaint you signed for yourself.

– If you file a complaint, do not forget to add your medical report or any other evidence of the incidence.

– Following the complaint, an inquiry will be initiated and if necessary, an indictment will be prepared and a lawsuit will be filed. Therefore, please provide the address where you will be residing and reachable so that you can be contacted for future notices.

– If you think you will encounter difficulties during these processes, you should get the support of a lawyer. If you do not have the money for a lawyer, you can get free legal counseling and the support of a lawyer by contacting bar associations or NGOs.

If you have been exposed to sexual or physical abuse

– You can contact the emergency services of the hospital for urgent medical assistance.

– After the exposure to sexual violence, you should be treated in order to obtain health reports as well as for improving your health condition if needed. You may go to the emergency units of hospitals or primary health care facilities for a treatment.

– Following a sexual abuse, there are risks of unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections.

To reduce the risk of unwanted pregnancies:

You can use the morning-after pill . You can avoid a pregnancy by using the morning-after pill that you can obtain from pharmacies. You have to take it within the first 72 hours after the incidence has occurred. The morning-after pill is most effective when taken early after the incidence. However, if taken too late, it might not prevent the pregnancy.
You can ask the health care personnel for acopper intrauterine device (IUD). IUDs are a reliable emergency intervention for risky situations as they are generally used as a contraception method. IUDs have a preventive effect of pregnancies since they can be used as a contraceptive method even up to 5 days after the unprotected intercourse.

To reduce the risk of sexually transmitted infections :

You should have a screening test at a healthcare institution to see whether you are infected with a sexually transmitted infection.
PEP should be used in emergency situations as a post-exposure treatment and must be started within 72 hours after the possible exposure to HIV.
PEP treatment takes 28 days in total. It must be observed and followed-up by an expert physician.

Traumas after experiencing Violence and Post-Traumatic Psycho-Social Support

In a most general definition, trauma can be defined as a psychological or emotional response to an experience that creates or disturbs a person or that creates profound sadness.

Many experiences such as accidents, illnesses or injuries, exposures to violence, losses of loved ones or divorces can lead to traumas.

Everyone experiences a traumatic event differently because everyone faces new negative experiences in the light of other previous experiences that a person has previously encountered in his/her life.

Individuals and groups even become more vulnerable if violence is combined with other traumatic incidents, such as intense conflicts and violence in the country the people live or lived in, trauma of displacement for asylum, loss, adaptation problems experienced in the host society or socio-economic difficulties.

When people cannot cope with the trauma they experience, they may encounter many symptoms that influence their daily lifes.

Some of the psychological and psychosocial effects that are symptomatic for victims of violence are as follows:

– Pain caused by the damage of physical body integrity such as injuries

– Psychological depression due to pain;

– Depression and post-traumatic stress disorder;

– Loss of self-confidence;

– Feelings like intense guilt, fear, anxiety, shame;

– Sleep disturbances and appetite disorders;

– Physical disorders;

– Self-injurious behavior extending to suicidal behavior;

– Developing anxiety disorders such as panic disorder;

– Addictions.

All these traumatic experiences hinder people from having a good mental health and hinder them from overcoming psycho-social problems.

Therefore, psychosocial support plays an important role for helping refugees to cope with their problems and experiences.

Psycho-social support includes the strengthening of individuals against psychological discrepancies that may arise after traumas, the reduction or abolition of traumatic symptoms, the redevelopment of disrupted social relations, provision, strengthening and support of people in order to recognize their potential needs for psycho-social support.

Psycho-social support might include:

– Providing psychological support to persons suffering from post-traumatic stress disorders;

– Identifying and directing those who need psychiatric services;

– Providing other social and financial assistance;

– Allowing individuals and groups to participate in post-trauma psychosocial support services so that they will be able to identify their own needs;

– Allowing people to be prepared for possible emergencies and improving their coping skills.

Psycho-social support can be provided in a variety of ways by both public and non-governmental organizations:

Assessment of Needs:The Assessment of Needs includes the assessment of needs after a traumatic experience and the referral to further support services.
Psychological First Aid: Psychological First Aid means that basic psychological aid and information is given to traumatized people. In consequence, people might be relieved by expressing themselves and by talking about the incidents they have experienced. Psychological First Aid can be realized in the form of group interviews, by distributing brochures or through other media tools.
Referral and Guidance: Referral and Guidance is aimed at those who are found to need psychological and psychiatric support. These people are directed to other specialists and institutions so that they can receive the relevant services.
Creation of an Information Center: The aim is to create an easily accessible Information Center, where information on basic protection can be shared with all people in need.
Call the Society for Action: Awareness- raising of the society on post-traumatic rehabilitation and psycho-social support activities.
Social Projects: The implementation of social projects is one of the most frequently used methods for psycho-social support. It enables post-traumatized people to develop coping capacities by participating in social life activities and it allows them to gain the sense of regaining control of their life.
Trainings: Trainings are the most common form of psycho-social support. Trainings are given by social workers and other specialists working in this area.

It is extremely important that the special needs of victims of violence are taken into consideration by the social workers as the latter are experts in the field of violence.

The expert should also take in mind the sources of the violence.

However, it is not always possible to identify individual, namely person-specific needs in the first place.

In case that your psycho-social support is not good for you, keep in mind that your problem is not unsolvable. It is possible that your support is not suitable for you, but the problem itself may be solved.

If this is the case, please share this feeling with social workers and experts.

International and Temporary Protection

Persons who have a well-founded fear of persecution in their home country for reasons of race, religion, nationality, being member of a particular social group or political opinion , and thus are separated from their homeland and do not wish to return or will not return because of their fear, may seek international protection from another state in order to ensure the protection and security of basic human rights and their physical safety.

It means that whether these persons are refugees or not, after having received the refugee status, they will not be deported to their country of origin.

In Turkey, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the Directorate General of Migration Management (DGMM) are the two main institutions dealing with these issues.

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and UNHCR´s Services

The purpose of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees is to provide international protection for those who have left their country for reasons such as war or persecution.

The two main tasks of UNHCR are the support of states in the provision of international protection and the resettlement of the persons requesting international protection to a third country while providing them with a refugee status, so that the persons may not be deported.

UNHCR TURKEY'S MAIN ACTIVITIES ARE THE FOLLOWING

– Managing and coordinating the work of UN agencies to provide support during the Syrian refugee crisis;

– Strengthening the access to protection and social support mechanisms for people in need of international protection;

– Cooperating with Turkey’s Government Officials to provide humanitarian assistance to refugees in camps and urban areas;

– Supporting legislative and institutional capacity building for strengthening the national asylum system;

– Following the registration and status determination of non-Syrian refugees, following up their resettlement in a third country.

UNHCR Turkey prepared a “UNHCR HELP” website referring to the studies conducted in the main fields of activity.

The HELP website is provided in four different languages: Arabic, Farsi, English and Turkish. It includes information and guidance on various issues that refugees often ask for.

The UNHCR – HELP website can be found under: http://help.unhcr.org/turkey/

The Ministry of Interior – Directorate General of Migration Management (DGMM) and Its Services

The Directorate General of Migration Management (DGMM ) is responsible for ensuring international protection for regular and irregular migrants in Turkey.

For those who have abandoned the country for reasons such as war and persecution, it is the authority that decides whether a person is given an international protection status.

Cross-border migrants, who applied for international protection, are allowed to stay in Turkey and can benefit from some basic rights and services until the final decision on their application is taken.

If a positive decision on the application is obtained, that person can stay in Turkey under international protection and can continue to profit from some basic rights and services.

The services of the Directorate General of Migration Management can be grouped in three main categories:

REGISTRATION PROCEDURES

During registration procedures, it is recorded whether the migration was regular or irregular. During this procedure, immigrants are registered and their identity cards are issued.

DEPORTATION CENTERS

Deportation Centers enable the cooperation of the Deportation Centers´ operations with other operations working in the field. In the centers, several services are provided such as emergency and primary health care for migrants, arranging interviews with relatives, lawyers, consulates or UNHCR officials. The Deportation Centers must ensure that children are under special care and benefit from education and training.

RECEPTION AND ACCOMMODATION CENTERS

Accomodation Centers are centers where those who have applied for international protection are accommodated. The centers also provide protection services. Health services, education and other social needs are also covered in the centers.

Types of International Protection in Turkey

On the basis of the Law on Foreigners and International Protection – LFIP (Law No. 6458) and with regards to the principle of geographical constraints of the Geneva Convention 1951, the Turkish Government provides 3 different international protection statutes:

1 REFUGEE

In accordance with the 1951 Geneva Convention, the refugee status is the legal and international protection status submitted to people that come from European countries (countries belonging to the Council of Europe) but applied for international protection in Turkey due the events ongoing in their home countries. The fact that the refugee status is only given to persons coming from countries that are part of the Council of Europe is rooted in the geographical limitations of the 1951 Geneva Convention.

2 CONDITIONAL REFUGEE

Conditional refugees are persons who – as a result of events occurring outside European countries and owing to well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion and are outside the country of their nationality – are unable or, owing to such fear, are unwilling to avail themselves of the protection of that country; or who, not having a nationality and being outside the country of former habitual residence as a result of such events, are unable or are unwilling to return to it. If such conditions apply, those persons shall be granted a conditional refugee status upon completion of the refugee status determination process. Conditional refugees shall be allowed to reside in Turkey temporarily until they are resettled to a third country

3 SUBSIDIARY PROTECTION

A foreigner or a stateless person, who neither could be qualified as a refugee nor as a conditional refugee, shall nevertheless be granted subsidiary protection upon the status determination, because if returned to the country of origin or country of [former] habitual residence this person would:

a) be sentenced to death or face the execution of the death penalty;

b) face torture or inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment;

c) face serious threat to himself or herself by reason of indiscriminate violence in situations of international or nationwide armed conflict.

Temporary Protection

Non-Refoulement

The principle of non-refoulement is one of the most important provisions of the 1951 Geneva Convention. Article 33 of the 1951 Geneva Convention prohibits that refugees and asylum seekers are returned to places where danger of persecution is present.

There are 2 exceptions of the non-refoulement principle (Art. 33 II Geneva Convention):

– The benefit of non-refoulement may not be claimed by a refugee whom there are reasonable grounds for regarding as a danger to the security of the country in which he/she is;

– A refugee that has been convicted by a final judgement of a particularly serious crime, constitutes a danger to the community of that country.

Conditions in Turkey under whichrefoulement is allowed

In Turkey, the principle of non-refoulement is regulated by the Law on Foreigners and International Protection – LFIP (Law No. 6458).

However, the LFIP also defines people who can be deported despite the principle of non-refoulement.

According to the LFIP, removal decision shall be issued in respect of those foreigners

Listed below:

– Those who are deemed to be removed pursuant to Article 59 of the Turkish Penal Code № 5237;

– Those who are leaders, members or supporters of a terrorist organization or of a benefit oriented criminal organization

– Those who submit untrue information and false documents during the entry, visa and residence permit actions in Turkey

– Those who made their living from illegitimate means during their stay in Turkey

– Those who pose a public order or public security or public health threat

– Those who overstayed their visa or the visa exemption period for more than ten days or, whose visas are cancelled

– Those whose residence permits are cancelled

– Those who overstayed the expiry date of the duration of their residence permit for more ten days without an acceptable reason

– Those who are working without a work permit

– Those who breach the terms and conditions for legal entry into or exit from Turkey

– Those who are determined to have entered into Turkey despite an entry ban

– Those whose international protection claim has been refused; are excluded from international protection; application is considered inadmissible; has withdrawn the application or the application is considered withdrawn; international protection status has ended or has been cancelled, provided that pursuant to the other provisions set out in this Law they no longer have the right of stay in Turkey after the final decision

– Those who fail to leave Turkey within ten days in cases where their residence permit renewal application has been refused

A removal decision may be issued in respect of applicants or international protection beneficiaries solely when there are serious reasons to believe that they pose a threat to national security of the Turkey or if they have been convicted upon a final decision for an offence constituting a public order threat

The statements such as “made their living from illegitimate means during their stay in Turkey” (Art.54/1ç), “who pose a public order or public security or public health threat (Art.54/1d), “work without a work permit” (1-ğ) make life difficult for vulnerable groups such as sex workers, LGBTI people or people living with HIV. They frequently face the risk of repatriation as they often become a target for law enforcement officers.

In addition, the second paragraph of Article 54, which was added with the amendments made in 2016, states a removal decision may be issued in respect of applicants or international protection beneficiaries solely when there are serious reasons to believe that they pose a threat to the national security of Turkey or if they have been convicted upon a final decision for an offence constituting a threat of the public order.

Legal Remedies against Refoulement

It is possible to take legal remedies against refoulement. It is possible to lodge an appeal at the Administrative Courts.

This includes:

The person, legal representative or lawyer can apply to the Administrative Court within fifteen days starting from the date of the notification of the deportation order.
The applicant shall inform the deporting authority accordingly
The decision of the court is incontestable.
The foreigner shall not be deported within the period of filing the lawsuit, or in the case of appeal for judicial proceedings, until the conclusion of the proceedings, provided that the foreigner’s remedy is reserved.
An individual application may be referred to the Constitutional Court upon the decision of the Administrative Court.

Administrative Supervision of Deportation Cases and Deportation (“Removal”) Centers

Persons who are subject to a decision of deportation may be subject to administrative supervision by the governorate if the following conditions apply:

Those who might escape and disappear,

Those violating the rules of entry or exit to Turkey,
Those who use fake or invalid documents,
Those without an acceptable excuse while not leaving Turkey within the given period, Those who pose threats for the public order, public security or public health. People who are under administrative supervision are held at Deportation Centers (“Removal Centers”). The period of administrative supervision at the Deportation Centers cannot exceed six months.

However, this period may be extended to a maximum of another six months if the deportation process cannot be completed because the foreigner does not cooperate or fails to provide accurate information or documents relating to her/his country of origin.

The Ministry of Interior is informed about the persons that are determined to be put under administrative supervision.

If the Ministry finds it appropriate, the administrative supervision of these persons is stopped and they receive a Permission for Departure.

These foreigners may be required to reside at a particular address or to be notified in the desired form.

During the period of their stay in the Deportation Centers, the people who are subject to deportation must have access to some basic services:

Emergency and basic health services,
Access to and communication with relatives, notaries, legal representatives and lawyers,
Access to a telephone,
Dialogues with visitors and those country’s consular officers of which he/she is a citizen, and meetings with officers from UNHCR.

Furthermore, the best interests of children must be respected and families and unaccompanied children must be housed separately.

It must be ensured that children have access to education and trainings.

In this regard, necessary measures shall be taken by the Ministry of National Education.

International and Temporary Protection – Application and Registration

Applications for International Protection

In Turkey, the Directorate General of Migration Management (DGMM) is the institution in charge of international protection .

People who leave their home country because of war or persecution, and who cannot return because of facing the danger of death or torture, may get a legal status, namely international protection, in order to stay in Turkey. Therefore, they should apply to the Immigration Administration (IGIM) in the province of their residence .

As temporary protection is given to Syrian refugees in Turkey, Syrian refugees cannot apply for international protection.

In order to benefit from temporary protection and to legally stay in Turkey, the asylum seeker shall apply to the Provincial Directorate of Migration and make a registration there.

The asylum seeker shall provide accurate information about her/his identity and shall bring other documents that are necessary for the registration.

Pre-registration certificates are issued in the first 30 days and are valid until the entitled person receives the “Temporary Protection Identity Certificate”.

In addition to this, refugees from other countries than Syria cango to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and to Turkish Governmental Authorities in order to register.

Resettlement to a Third Country

Resettlement to a third country is a solution that allows refugees to be sent from the country they are currently refugees to another, a third, country where they will have access to the protection and assistance they need.

However, the provision of a refugee status does not mean that a refugee will always be part of a resettlement process to a third country.

Resettlement to a third country is not a right and is therefore not an application-based process. Due to the limited availability of quotas for third country settlements, only a very small number of refugees can be resettled toa third country, giving priority to the most vulnerable and those most at risk.

Refugees cannot request resettlement toa third country. UNHCR works in close cooperation with the DGMM to identify those cases that have the most sensitive situation.

The final decisions on the resettlement are made by the third country, namely refugee-accepting country, not by UNHCR itself.

The following institutions provide support for international and temporary protection:

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)

ANKARA

Adress: Tiflis Cad. 552. Sok. No:3 Sancak Mah. 06550 Ankara

Phone: 0312 409 70 00

Fax: 0312 441 21 73

VAN

Adress: İstasyon Mahalle, Terminal 1. Sokak Hayırlar Caddesi 40/2 Van

Phone: 0432 2155470 – 2143630

Fax: 0432 2148404

SGDD- ASAM & UNHCR Counselling Line

Adress: Aşağı Dikmen Mah. Galip Erdem Cad. No:42 Çankaya/ANKARA

Phone: +90 312 427 55 83

Phone: +90 312 212 60 12

Phone: +90 312 212 60 13

Faks : +90 312 212 60 14

Faks : +90 312 212 60 15

E-Mail: sgdd@sgdd.org.tr

Counseling Line: 444 48 68

Communication Center for Foreigners YİMER 157

By dialing “157” from anywhere in Turkey and +90 312157 11 22 from abroad, you can access services 24 hours 7 days per week in Turkish, English, Arabic, Russian, Persian and German. You can call YIMER 157 for any kinds of questions related to foreigners´ problems such as your entrance to Turkey, your stay in Turkey or your exit from Turkey.

You can also ask them about procedures concerning international protection or temporary protection or you can get information about the rights and obligations of foreigners staying in Turkey with different statuses. Furthermore, you can notice or call them (even in an emergency) for any cases related to human trafficking.

Proteciton Mechanisms and Services

Within the scope of the project, there are three main protection mechanisms, namely Service Units, Outreach Work and a Hotline.

Service Units

Service Units are places where protection activities for refugees will be executed directly.

In total, there are 5 services units, based in Ankara, Denizli, Eskişehir and two in Istanbul. Within the service units, various activities such as the provision of information, awareness-raising events, case management and counseling are conducted for both individuals and groups.

If you need any of the services provided in the scope of the project, you can directly contact the Service Units.

Outreach work

Outreach work is carried out in order to provide support services for the purpose of the project, mainly in areas where Service Units are not available or in areas where Service Units are not accessible.

Outreach workers reach out to key refugee groups, inform them about their work, identify cases and make referrals to other relevant institutions.

Various project partners and cooperating institutions provide information about sexual and reproductive health and legal assistance regarding international protection and access to diverse support mechanisms.

Furthermore, they offer capacity building and case management for victims of violence and they provide guidance upon other required needs.

Hotline

The hotline is established to reach beneficiaries in an extensive manner.
Through the hotline, you can get information about the services in the service units and you can report any problems.
The hotline provides you with information and it may direct you to various other institutions that may be helpful for you.
You can reach the hotline 7 days a week, 24 hours per day by dialing 0850 888 0 539
You can call the hotline from anywhere in Turkey free of charge.

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)

UNHCR provides legal guidance as well as guidance on registration and application processes. For support and further information you can check out UNHCR’s

Ankara Office

Adress: Tiflis Cad. 552. Sok. No:3 Sancak Mah. 06550 Ankara

Phone: +90 312 409 70 00

Van Office

Adress: İstasyon Mahalle, Terminal 1. Sokak Hayırlar Caddesi 40/2 Van

Phone: +90 432 2155470 – 2143630

REFUGEES RIGHTS TURKEY

Refugee Rights Turkey provides legal support, monitoring and other case-based services for asylum seekers. On their website, the organization provides information about International Protection and Health Services in Turkey for people who seek international protection and who ask for information regarding the access to education and the labor market.

Website: http://www.mhd.org.tr/en

Address : Dr. Refik Saydam Cad. Dilber Apt. No: 39 Daire: 11 Kat: 4 Şişhane, Beyoğlu – İstanbul

Phone : +90 212 292 48 30 – +90 212 292 48 33

E-mail : info@mhd.org.tr

Human Resource Development Foundation

The Human Resource Development Foundation offers counseling and support on legal issues, health and education. It is one of the partner organizations of UNHCR.

Address: Yeni Çarşı Cad. No: 34 Beyoğlu / İstanbul 34425

Phone : +90 212 293 1605

Website: http://www.ikgv.org/

Association for Solidarity with Asylum Seekers and Migrants (SGDD-ASAM)

ASAM carries out the pre-registration process for refugees. This is the first step for the application for international protection for those individuals who do not originally come from European countries and for those who are not covered by a status of temporary protection.

The first step while seeking asylum and applying for international protection is to pre-register in the Ankara office of ASAM which is working with UNHCR

In addition, ASAM conducts outreach operations. It is one of the institutions that UNHCR cooperates with.

Address: Aşağı Dikmen Mah. Galip Erdem Cad. No:42 Çankaya/ANKARA

Phone : +90 312 212 60 12-13-14

E-mail:sgdd@sgdd.org.tr

Website : www.sgdd.org.tr

Refugee Support Center Association (MUDEM/RSC)

The Refugee Support Center Association provides legal support.
The Association can be reached directly through their hotline.

Hotline: +90 312 427 27 02

Address : ÜSKÜP CAD. ÇEVRE SOK. 6A/6 ÇANKAYA ANKARA

Phone : +90 0312 427 27 02

E-mail : info@multecidestekmerkezi.org Website :http://mudem.org/

Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH)

Sexual Health Hygiene

Contraception Methods

Concerning pregnancies, it is important that individuals and couples have the information, education and possibilities to decide freely how many children they want so that they can take responsibilities for their pregnancies.

High-risk pregnancy rates increase in early pregnancies, as well as during unwanted pregnancies.

Further health problems that may negatively affect the general health status may occur and such may even result in death.

For the correct use of contraception methods, information from the healthcare personnel should be obtained and more than one contraceptive method should be envisaged depending on the preferences and needs of the people.

Regular health checks need to be carried out in order to guarantee sexual and reproductive health.

Refugees with registration certificates can ask for information and provision of contraception methods at Migrant Health Centers, Family Health Centers, Community Health Centers, and Women’s Health Care Centers which are the primary health care facilities affiliated to the Ministry of Health.

1- CONTRACEPTIVE PILLS AND CONTRACEPTIVE INJECTIONS

It is essential to use contraceptive pills and contraceptive injections properly and regularly. By means of the hormonal mechanisms of the contraceptive pills and the contraceptive injections, a fertilization and/or gestation will be prevented.

2 - HYPODERMIC CAPSULES (BIRTH CONTROL IMPLANTS)

Through the hormones that are released regularly by the capsule placed under the skin, the fertilization will be prevented. It has the same effect as taking contraceptive pills or having injections. The capsule shall be placed under the skin of the upper arm by a trained health personnel. Hypodermic Capsules are effective for up to 3 years.

3- INTRAUTERINE DEVICE (IUD)

By inserting a device into the intrauterine, it is possible to prevent fertilization and/or gestation and provide protection up to 10 years depending on the type of the device. The IUD should be put into the uterus by certified health care personnel.

4 - OVARY TUBES AND VAS DEFERENS

Ovary tubes and Vas Deferens are tied by simple surgical intervention. Therefore, fertilization cannot take place and does not occur

5 –MORNING-AFTER PILLS

The morning-after pill is not a regular pregnancy preventive method. It is known as an emergency contraception method and is available in pharmacies. The morning-after pill can be used after an unprotected sexual intercourse or a violent incident. The pill should be taken within the first 72 or 120 hours (depending on the dose and the pill) after the unprotected incident. The sooner it is used, the more effective it is.

6- CONDOMS

The difference of condoms with the other contraception methods is the fact that a condom is the only way to protect oneself against sexually transmitted infections.Basically, the condom keeps the semen and prevents the contact with different body fluids (vaginal fluid and/or prostate fluid and sperm) and therefore is a protection method for sexual partners. The condom shall be used not only to prevent pregnancies, but also to protect oneself against sexually transmitted infections. Condoms should not be used more than once and should be renewed before each sexual intercourse. A condom should be used from the beginning to the end of each intercourse to prevent sexually transmitted infections and pregnancies. A condom that is only put on just before the ejaculation will not provide adequate protection as the already pre-ejaculatory released prostate fluid may also contain STI agents and sperm.

Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)

Condom Use

Condoms should be used for all kinds of sexual activities to prevent sexually transmitted infections, HIV and other infections.

There are two types of condoms, namely male and female condoms.

Female Condoms

During sexual intercourse, the female condom is put inside the vagina, the erected penis therefore passes through it.

HOW TO USE A FEMALE CONDOM

1. Check the expiry date on the condom package. Condoms with an expired expiration date shall never be used.

2. Check that the condom package is not damaged or torn.

3. Be careful not to tear the condom. You should not try to open it with your teeth or nails.

4. Check that there is enough lubricant on the condom.

5. Push the condom into the vagina by squeezing the ring at the end of the condom between the thumb and forefinger. Make sure the inner ring is placed deep enough.

6. The closed end of the female condom covers the cervix and the open end should hang about an inch outside your vagina.

7. At the end of the sexual intercourse, pull the condom through the vagina while turning the outer ring of the condom around itself and prevent the fluid from pouring into the condom.

8. Knot the condom so that the semen will not overflow and will not spill.

9. Check the condom for any tearing or damage.

10. Never reuse the condom. Put the used and knotted condom in a bin.

HOW TO USE A MALE CONDOM:

1. Check the expiry date on the condom package. Condoms with an expired expiration date shall never be used.

2. Check that the condom package is not damaged or torn.

3. Be careful not to tear the condom. You should not try to open it with your teeth or nails

4. Once you have removed the condom from the package, check in which direction the condom is wrapped. Make sure you put it on the right way round. Condoms can only easily roll in one direction

5. Put on the condom when the penis is fully erect.

6. Before rolling down the condom, squeeze the head area with two fingers, to ensure that there is no air inside.

7. While holding the end of your penis with your fingers, roll the condom down with your other hand.

8. If necessary, you can use a water-based lubricant after you have put on the condom. Do not apply the lubricant before putting on the condom.

9. After the erection, remove the condom with the help of a tissue. When removing it, make sure that the semen does not come into contact with your partner and do not spill.

10. Never reuse the condom. Put the used and knotted condom in a bin.

Cautions for the use of condoms:

– Do not leave and store condoms in direct sunlight or under artificial room light.

– Store condoms in a cool, dry place where the temperature is not very hot.

– Do not use two condoms together, meaning do not overlap them. Overlapping may cause tearing through rubbing instead of a better protection.

– The use of water or silicone-based lubricants with condoms prevents tears from dryness. However, products such as oil, vaseline or skin cream may cause the condom to break or tear.

– Using a condoms is also recommended for oral intercourse.

– Condoms that past their expiration date should never be used.

You can go to primary (first-level) health care institutions such as Community Health and Family Health Centers or Migrant Health Centers to obtain condom. You can also get condoms free of charge from the Youth Centers, as well as from Service Units and Women’s Health Counseling Centers.

Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights

ACCESS TO PROTECTION SERVICES BY KEY REFUGEE GROUPS

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) intensified its humanitarian aid efforts for Syrian refugees since 2011 with regards to the ongoing civil war in Syria .

In the scope of the UN Regional Refugee and Resilience Plan called “3RP”, which has been approved by the Government of Turkey, UNFPA develops and implements humanitarian aid projects.

UNFPA identifies the needs of refugees, provides services for existing needs and takes care for the effective accessibility to service mechanism in protection areas.

In order to reduce the obstacles for key refugee populations in accessing the protection services, a joint project is launched by a cooperation of UNFPA , the Positive Living Association and the Red Umbrella Sexual Health and Human Rights Association.

The project is financed by the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO) and carried out between January 2018 and June 2019.

In addition to the services that are provided within the five different service units, further advocacy work is carried out aimed at strengthening the beneficiaries´ access to protection services outside the service units.

PROTECTION MECHANISMS AND SERVICES

Within the scope of the project, there are three main protection mechanisms, namely Service Units, Outreach Work and aHotline.

Service Units

Service Units are places where protection activities for refugees will be executed directly.

If you need any of the services provided in the scope of the project, you can directly contact the Service Units.

Outreach work

Outreach workiscarried out in order to provide support services for the purpose of the project, mainly in areas where Service Units are not available or in areas where Service Units are not accessible.

Outreach workers reach out to key refugee groups, inform them about their work, identify cases and make referrals to other relevant institutions.

Furthermore, they offer capacity building and case management for victims of violence and they provide guidance upon other required needs.

Hotline

The hotline is established to reach beneficiaries in an extensive manner.

Through the hotline, you can get information about the services in the service units and you can report any problems.

The hotline provides you with information and it may direct you to various other institutions that may be helpful for you.

You can reach the hotline 7 days a week, 24 hours per day by dialing 0850 888 0 539.

You can call the hotline from anywhere in Turkey free of charge.

How Can I Benefit from the Services?

I – Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH)

You can receive individual information about sexual and reproductive health and general health services or you can participate in group awareness events (workshops, interviews, etc.) in the Service Units.

You can receive individual information and counseling services about HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the Service Units and through the Hotline, or you can join group awareness events (workshops, interviews, etc.) by going to the Service Units.

You can seek support for referrals to relevant health units for testing, diagnosis and treatment of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.

You can receive individual information on the gender transition process or you can join group awareness events and ask for guidance and support when contacting the relevant health units.

You can participate at group awareness events on SRH and access general health services. You may ask for information, legal counseling and follow-up of cases if you face violations.

You can receive information, get training and communication materials on SRH and general health issues.

You can get condoms free of charge.

II – Gender-Based Violence

In the Service Units, you can participate in group awareness activities about basic human rights , access to justice, violence and about protection mechanisms. You can also get individual counseling.

You can receive information about violence, discrimination and abuse of rights.

If you have been exposed to violence and/or discrimination, you may seek psycho-social support, referrals to emergency medical support mechanisms or psychological support.

After having encountered violence, you can receive legal counseling or assistance for other legal protection procedures. You can also be supported while being referred to security services and other protection mechanisms.

If you are exposed to violence, you may receive support for your case . The specific case management aims to protect the physical and mental integrity of victims. It therefore includes comprehensive assistance, follow-up and even post- violence support.

Counseling on security and protection, legal support and guidance, as well as guidance to medical support services and psycho-social support are provided.

You can ask for support by going directly to the Service Units or calling the Hotline at: 0850 888 0 539

III – International Protection

In the Service Units, you can participate in group awareness activities on International Protection and use the training and information materials.

You can also get information from the hotline.

You can receive information on registration, relocation, and third-country resettlement in the Service Units and through theHotline.

For registration, relocation and third country resettlement , you can request support for being referred to the relevant institutions (provincial immigration authorities, UNHCR, provincial security directorates, NGOs).

If you think you might be deported, or in case of urgent deportation, you can seek legal advice by calling the hotline.

Institutions and Organizations Where You Get Support

Refugee Support Services" webpage is developed in the context of Support to Key Refugee Groups Project. The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Turkey initiated the project, which is jointly implemented by two NGOs: the Positive Living Association and the Red Umbrella Sexual Health and Human Rights Association. The project is financed by the European Union Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO). 5 Refugee Service Units ((and a Refugee Support Line have been established within the context of the project.

Gender-Based Violence (GBV)