VAN - Van Bar Association Immigration and Asylum Commission Member Mahmut Kaçan said: "Those who kill the refugees, also rob their dead bodies. We determined that the refugees were robbed, their shoes and clothes were taken when they are dead, or worse, as they are dying."
Thousands of refugees arrive at Van every year. The city where thousands of refugees from Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iran comes every year is also a cemeteray for the refugees. According to the records of the Governor's Office, in the 8 months of 2019, nearly 25,000 refugees were caught at the borders trying to enter the city. Over a hundred refugee deaths were recorded during the year. With the melting of snow last spring, dead bodies of around 50 refugees were found in Özalp, Çaldıran and Saray district borders. Again, more than 50 people lost their lives in the city center during the year. Last July 17 refugees lost their lives as a result of the bus accident.
Stating that they have achieved important findings about the refugees during this process, Kaçan evaluated the lack of clothes on the refugees who lost their lives in particular and said: "Some people who deal with human trafficking are taking most of the refugees hostage. It even leads to a situation where the clothes on the bodies are taken. Refugees whose bodies were found under the snow at the border had thin clothes on them. Refugees knew that they couldn't travel in such climatic conditions. These refugees were robbed either after their death or when they were still alive, their clothes, shoes, identification and money were taken. Those people who attempt these refugees lives, also rob their dead bodies."