The people of Gazi ask: Who is giving weapons to young people?

 

Rozerin Gültekin 

 

ISTANBUL - The special war policies that have been pursued for years in Gazi Quarter have reached a level that the people describe as more dangerous than physical attacks. Drawing attention to these attacks carried out through drugs, gangs, prostitution, and armament, the residents of the neighborhood ask, “Who is giving weapons to the youth?”

 

The special war policies that have been pursued for years in Gazi Quarter have not only targeted revolutionaries; they have spread to every area of society, surrounding young people, women, and children through drugs, prostitution, gangs, and armament. Once known for its resistance and organized structure, the neighborhood is now under the influence of a silent but deep war. Residents of the neighborhood point out that this process is more dangerous than physical attacks, drawing attention to what is happening by saying, “The way is deliberately being paved for gangs, weapons are being distributed to young people, and women are being targeted with specific methods.” 

 

In the final section of our report, we give the microphone to the people of Gazi and convey how this special war manifests in daily life through their testimonies. 

 

‘Silent war is more dangerous than loud war’ 

 

Nuriye Yıldız, who has lived in Gazi Quarter for years, said the following about the neighborhood: “I raised my children here. No one dared to say anything to anyone in Gazi because the young people protected everyone. They were clean, moral people, and we felt safe. They arrested and killed those young people, and Gazi was left defenseless. Now they are playing games with Gazi. Drug use and kidnapping have increased. Drug use starts with 10-year-old children. These young people are very defenseless, they are dying every day. The other day, three young people using drugs passed out in front of my door. This cruelty is happening right before our eyes. Silent war is more dangerous than loud war.

 

This is a dirty war being waged on the people. When they use tanks, cannons, and guns, people see what kind of war is being waged, but society doesn't see what's happening now. They blackmail people with videos taken by women. People have been torn from their lives. Who is behind this? This is not something only young people can do. The drugs are brought in from outside. When we set out, our vehicle is searched forty times; if they don't allow it, how can drugs get into this neighborhood? This gang activity is leading to women's deaths. They have turned society into a gang. They are deceiving people with money. Water sleeps, fire sleeps, but the enemy does not sleep."

 

‘Who is giving weapons to young people?’

 

Nafiye Kaya, a resident of the neighbourhood who emphasised that gangs are being given free rein, said she had heard that this was happening with the cooperation of the police. Nafiye Kaya said, “The state isn’t doing anything, so at least our people should do something. The police supposedly come and arrest those responsible, but they release them again the next day. At the same time, young people have started using weapons. Who is giving these young people weapons? The police patrol this neighbourhood from morning to night, don't they know who is doing this? They ask families for money for drugs; when families don't give them money, they either go and steal or shoot people and take their money. They are playing games with Kurdish youths. If they want to make peace with us, why are they involving our youths in these dirty deeds?"

 

‘Women are being forced into prostitution’

 

“We don’t want young people to get involved with drugs or gangs because this is a policy being implemented on the Kurds,” said Güle Balıkçı, adding: “Many young people have either gone to Europe or joined gangs. There are hardly any young people left in Gazi who haven’t been exposed to drugs. Many young people who used to protest have been introduced to drugs and no longer participate in protests. These individuals are harming their families, their communities, and their finances. Young people need to be good again, like they used to be. All young people start by seeing their friends do it. We believe that plainclothes police officers befriend them and introduce them to drugs. A few days ago, a young man who was using drugs killed his mother. The real reason for this is that the Kurds are not fighting back. We see the state young people are in after using drugs on the streets; it's a terrible situation, and we are worried.

 

Prostitution is also taking place in Gazi. In particular, plainclothes police officers make Kurdish women fall in love with them, talk sweetly to them, and then abandon them after doing terrible things to them. The women then commit suicide. Some families stand by their daughters, but some do not."

 

‘They don’t want the Kurdish mind to be used for struggle’

 

Fatma Döner concluded by saying: “In our neighbourhood, in the park, young children gather in the evenings to use drugs. Drugs are sold specifically to patriotic children, and they are recruited into gangs. As a result, Kurdish children are being killed. We no longer know what to do. We ask the question, ‘Did they deliberately involve Kurdish children in this?’ The police are doing nothing to prevent this.

 

As far as I know, a family in Bağcılar went to the police station to complain about the gangs. The police said, ‘We can’t stop them, what can we do?’ Actually, they don't want to stop the gangs. They don't want the Kurdish mind to be used for struggle; they want it to be preoccupied with drugs and money. This policy is being carried out deliberately. The use of weapons has also increased significantly here; we constantly hear gunfire."