Local newspapers have reported that one of the unofficial Chechen refugee camps in the Turkish city of Yalova was closed.

According to the information, about 60 Chechen asylum seeker families who reside in this camp were relocated to flats in the city. The one year rentals were paid by the Yalova Governorship. However, it is not known what the fate of these families will be after the one year. On the other hand, while these families were living in the camp, they continued their lives with the aid of organizations and individuals; but now they have been dispersed to different parts of the city and there is no information on how these families will continue their lives.

Recall that many Chechen civilians were forced to leave their homeland, the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria because of the ongoing second Russian invasion in 1999, and some of them have sought refuge in Turkey. However, due to nonsensical Turkish politics they are refused “refugee status” and instead are called “guests” which has no legal meaning. Chechen asylum seekers were living in three unofficial camps in Istanbul and one unofficial camp in Yalova. They may continue their lives only with the help of people of goodwill because they do not have legal residence or work permits.

*Text was written by Waynakh Online and edited by Michael Capobianco