Neighborhood Signs “Peace Contract”, Local Officials Awaiting

Tensions between neighborhood dwellers and those with Roma background in the northwestern province of Bursa tended to alleviate after neighborhood dweller’s efforts for reconciliation. 

On July 21, the tensions between Roma people and other residents in Güneştepe and Yunuseli neighborhood have originated from an argument on horse feces.

In the aftermath of incident, municipality bulldozers tore down 5 shanties on the ground that they were build illegally and on a high voltage zone.

Neighborhood-dwellers organized a town-hall stye meeting yesterday in order to alleviate tensions and discuss their issues with those of Roma-origin. 

The meeting was attended by representatives from Roma people associations, province networks of Giresun, Samsun and Ağrı, local administrator, as well as Republican People’s Party (CHP) Bursa deputy Sena Kaleli. 

"We will withdraw our complaint, they will support us”

Efkan Özçimen, chairman of Bursa Roma People Association, said they have sort of signed a “peace contract” with other people, a positive gesture towards co-existence. 

“Some of neighborhood’s respected members admitted on the sudden turmoil, saying that they were sorry about what happened to Roma people in the past few days. They also added that they had nothing to do with the demolition of Roma people’s houses. They said it was solely municipality’s responsibility.” 

“We told them that a possible exile on Roma people would only further marginalize them and push them into ghettos. We told them that improvements need to be made on site. The topic turned to Roma opening in the end. Both parties mentioned of government’s efforts to improve Roma people’s life conditions. 

At the end of the meeting, Roma people agreed to withdraw their complaint to release the arrested neighborhood dwellers, while others will work on the improvement of Roma people’s life conditions.  

Both parties will also hold talks with municipality officials for repartitions on the demolished houses and take legal actions if negotiations yield no results. 

"A parliamentary investigation commission must be formed” 

CHP deputy Sena Kaleli said she observed both parties’ agreement on a co-existence without interrupting each others’ lifestyles. 

Kaleli continued that she will submit an official request to form a parliamentarian commission to investigate life conditions of Roma people. 

"Roma people are most densely populated in Bursa province. There are issues in several neighborhoods. On the other hand, there is also the issue of Roma people immigation and the demolition of Kamber neighborhood with urban renewal projects. Roma people get dragged from one place to another and they are not happy about it.”

What happened?

On July 21, the tensions between Roma people and other residents in Güneştepe and Yunuseli neighborhood have originated from an argument on horse feces. A turmoil broke out after a man with Roma background fired in the air and wounded a young woman who was watching out from a nearby balcony. 

In the late evening that day hundreds marched towards Roma people populated shanties, throwing stones, shouting slogans “we don’t want you here” and setting Roma people owned horse carriages on fire. In the meanwhile, some protestors also burnt down two shanties and a cab vehicle owned by Roma people in the neighborhood. 

Police intervened the turmoil, detaining 20 individuals and arresting 4 including the father of the young woman who was injured by gun fire. 3 others were detained for “property damage”. 

On the other hand, the shooting suspect has been released pending a trial within Turkey’s new inspected release regulations He was later on arrested for other charges. Lastly, Roma people’s horses have been confiscated by municipality officials. 

In the aftermath of incident, municipality bulldozers tore down 5 shanties on the ground that they were build illegally and on a high voltage zone. (NV/BM)