On Thursday June 23, the British people will go to the polls to decide if they want to remain part of the European Union or if they want to leave it – otherwise known as Brexit. How should people from Turkish, Turkish-Cypriot and Kurdish communities vote. We’ve been asked by many people. We believe Britain is better IN the EU, jobs and the economy will be safer.
What’s been shocking is those leading the Brexit campaign have made Turkey joining the EU a big part of their campaign, designed to scare British people into thinking that 78 million Turks, from a Turkey filled with criminals and terrorists who are all waiting to come over here.
We condemn the false information in the media, during speeches, on campaign posters, needlessly bashing the Turk, and other refugees, has become commonplace. We must remember that Turkey has a very long way to go before it can become a member of the EU. But we believe that reforms need to continue to strengthen Turkey’s democratic institutions.
We believe under the EU we as minority communities are better protected, in terms of our human rights, workers’ rights and democracy.
We believe and urge all members of the community to vote to REMAIN, this Thursday 23 June.
Thank you.
Baroness Meral Hussein-Ece, House of Lords
Councillor Peray Ahmet, Haringey Council
Councillor Mete Coban, Hackney Council