Turkey Must Stop Restricting Entry to Injured, Sick Syrians Fleeing Aleppo

The fact that Turkey is even restricting access to sick and injured Syrians shows how its current border control policies are a far cry from meeting its international obligations to offer protection, according to Amnesty International.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — Turkey must rethink its policy of limiting entry to ill or wounded Syrian civilians who are fleeing war-affected Aleppo, in line with Ankara’s international obligations, Amnesty International said in a statement on Friday.

"The fact that Turkey is even restricting access to sick and injured Syrians shows how its current border control policies are a far cry from meeting its international obligations to offer protection," Amnesty International Crisis Response Director Tirana Hassan stated.

Hassan asserted the Turkish border "must remain open to all those fleeing conflict in Syria especially the injured and sick civilians."

In recent weeks, more than 50,000 people arrived at the Bab al-Salam area after fleeing parts of Aleppo held by the Syrian opposition. Heavy fighting has taken place in Aleppo as the Syrian Army advances to liberate the area.

Amnesty International noted that witnesses and doctors have told the rights organization Turkish authorities were not allowing families, including children with life-threating injuries, to enter into the country.

"The international community should step up its support to Turkey and other neighboring countries dealing with a massive refugee influx," the statement added.

Turkey is a key transit country for millions of migrants fleeing the Middle East in a ques to reach Europe. Turkey hosts more than two million Syrian refugees, according to UN estimates.