Recently, the news that social protests had started in Kayseri upon allegations that a Syrian national had molested a girl child, mass protests had turned violent in the following period, and marches had been held by crowded groups shouting slogans against Syrian refugees, and these crowded groups he set fire to workplaces and damaged vehicles which belonged to Syrian nationals and that these acts of social violence has been also seen in other cities and spread to surrounding provinces such as Gaziantep and Hatay were reflected in the written and visual media. It is seen that and that judicial and administrative authorities immediately launched an investigation into the tragic incident, which is unanimously agreed to be unacceptable by individuals from all segments of society, especially in terms of children's rights. In addition, the acts of violence that occurred during the mass protests following the events in question and were reflected in social media and the press are closely monitored by the Human Rights and Equality Institution of Türkiye in accordance with national and international legislation.

As it is known, our country hosts many displaced nationals. Within this scope, according to the official numbers, 3.1 million Syrians are under temporary protection in our country. Our country which has been hosting many people who had to flee their homes because of wars, internal conflicts, economic and political instability for years, serves as an example to the entire world for fulfilling its duty borne out of international law and regulations with our people who do not hesitate to fulfill their humanitarian duties. Without a doubt, states have a duty to protect, respect and fulfill the right to life which serves as a prerequisite for the enjoyment of other rights and freedoms. Foreigners in our country and other countries within the scope of international treaties all have fundamental human rights such as the right to life, the right to liberty and security, the right to a fair trial and the right to property like all other humans. The biggest obstacle to the protection of the fundamental rights and freedoms of foreigners in our country and their ability to live a life with dignity is hate speech, hate crimes and xenophobia.

Within the framework of the state's positive obligations regarding human rights, the relevant public authorities and competent authorities act within the framework of the aim of protecting social peace and public order regarding the incidents in Kayseri. In addition, sometimes it is observed that provocative actions that took place immediately after an event which touches social sensitivities and elements of ethno-violence directed at Syrian nationals based on a real or perceived common characteristic, connection and/or affiliation with the perpetrator of the crime, discriminatory and prejudiced discourses against foreigners can turn into actions that threaten the safety of life and property. At this point, targeting of refugees' homes and workplaces and encouraging of provocative acts on the social media lead to the violation of right to physical integrity and right to property which are enshrined in the Constitution.

Hate speech against a specific group constitutes a violation of international fundamental human rights documents and universal human rights principles, especially “United Nations International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination," and "European Council Directive 2000/43/EC on the Implementing the Principle of Equal Treatment Between Persons Irrespective of Racial or Ethnic Origin” to which Türkiye is also a party. Hate speech which feeds from the socio-political background of discursive violence serves as the first step of a criminal act before it becomes a crime. In its most generic form, category of crimes called "hate crimes" and sometimes also called "bias motivated crimes” manifest as "crimes committed against a person or group or their property, motivated by prejudice or hatred, due to a biologically or culturally fundamental or unchangeable characteristic."

Hate speech and hate crimes, together with xenophobia, pose a threat against the principle of equality which is a necessity for democratic social order; feeding on biases, usually target defenseless groups and thus, deepen the discrimination and marginalization in the society. Not reacting to discursive statements with hatred cause the phenomenon of hate speech to become normalized by getting social legitimacy.

Targeting certain individuals or groups who are thought to share similar core values ​​with perpetrator of a crimes unacceptable in the eyes of society, and subjecting them to stigmatization, humiliation and hostility constitutes one of the biggest problem areas in maintaining the culture of harmonious coexistence in a democratic society. Therefore, these incidents are being closely followed by the Human Rights and Equality Institution of Türkiye and our citizens are invited to act in moderation in order for these events to not turn into nation-wide mass acts of violence and human rights violations. We would like to once again underline the responsibility of staying away from discriminatory language and hate speech that feed provocative actions targeting social peace and remind all concerned that statements at the level of discourse should not turn into actions that constitute crime.

Respectfully announced to the public.