According to a Daily Telegraph article, the Gazi District of Istanbul is a "mainly Alevi district" (14 Mar. 1995). As well, the attached Reuters report refers to this district as "mostly populated by Alawites" (13 Mar. 1995).

With the exception of the Gazi District, sources consulted by the DIRB do not specifically refer to other districts of Istanbul as mainly inhabited by Alevis. However, the following reports, which provide information on Alevite communities in certain districts of Istanbul, may be useful.

An AP report refers to an Alevi demonstration in Kagithane District where "a large number of Alawites" reside (21 May 1995). The report also refers to "a similar demonstration" in Okmeydani District (ibid.). Another AP report refers to an attack on an Alevi community in the "Gaziosmanpasa neighbourhood" (14 Mar. 1995). An IPS report refers to a significant increase in the population of this neighbourhood as a result of "heavy migration" of immigrants including Bulgarians, Yugoslavs and Alevis (15 Mar. 1995).

Reporting on clashes between "Alawite protestors and police" in Istanbul, the attached AFP report refers to the Umraniye District as a scene of violence (15 Mar. 1995).

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

References

Agence France Presse (AFP). 15 March 1995. "Interior Minister Pressured to Quit over Sectarian Violence." (NEXIS)

The Associated Press (AP). 21 May 1995. "BC-Turkey-Demonstration: Leftist Demonstration Ends at Dawn." (NEXIS)

_____. 14 March 1995. Zeynep Alemdar. "Police Cordon Off Protestors, Demonstrations Continue." (NEXIS)

The Daily Telegraph [London]. 14 March 1995. Amberin Zaman. "Sectarian Unrest Leaves 12 Turks Dead." (NEXIS)

Inter Press Service (IPS). 15 March 1995. Nadire Mater. "Turkey-Politics: Another Suburb under Curfew after New Riot." (NEXIS)

Reuters. 13 March 1995. BC Cycle. Aliza Marcus. "Turkish Alawites Clash with Police." (NEXIS)

Attachments

Agence France Presse (AFP). 15 March 1995. "Interior Minister Pressured to Quit over Sectarian Violence." (NEXIS)

The Associated Press (AP). 21 May 1995. "BC-Turkey-Demonstration: Leftist Demonstration Ends at Dawn." (NEXIS)

_____. 14 March 1995. Zeynep Alemdar. "Police Cordon Off Protestors, Demonstrations Continue." (NEXIS)

The Daily Telegraph [London]. 14 March 1995. Amberin Zaman. "Sectarian Unrest Leaves 12 Turks Dead." (NEXIS)

Inter Press Service (IPS). 15 March 1995. Nadire Mater. "Turkey-Politics: Another Suburb under Curfew after New Riot." (NEXIS)

Reuters. 13 March 1995. BC Cycle. Aliza Marcus. "Turkish Alawites Clash with Police." (NEXIS)

Sources Consulted

A World of Difference: Islam and Gender Hierarchy in Turkey. 1992.

Background Paper on Turkish Asylum Seekers. September 1994.

Briefing Note Regarding the Current Status of Alevi Kurds. May 1994.

Human Rights in Turkey. 1993.

Integrating Development and Populations Planning in Turkey. 1991.

Turkey: The Challenge of a New Role. 1994.

On-line search of news articles.