A new report by Human Rights Watch (HRW) claimed Turkish border guards have repeatedly beat Syrian refugees attempting to enter the country and are responsible for the deaths of five people this year.
The international non-governmental organization alleged guards have regularly used excessive force when dealing with asylum seekers and smugglers. In March and April, the guards killed five people and seriously injured 14 others, according to HRW.
“While senior Turkish officials claim they are welcoming Syrian refugees with open borders and open arms, their border guards are killing and beating them,” wrote Gerry Simpson, senior refugee researcher at HRW. “Firing at traumatized men, women and children fleeing fighting and indiscriminate warfare is truly appalling.”
Turkish forces began pushing refugees away last summer despite a continuing surge of asylum seekers from the Middle East as the Islamic State continued to gain ground in Iraq and Syria. But the pushback was supposed to be friendly by maintaining a strong border.
The group said it has sent a letter with its findings to Turkey’s interior minister and is awaiting a response from the government.
