The Syrian Opposition Coalition (SOC) extends its heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of the young man, Ahmed Madrati, as well as to the entire Syrian population. May God bless the departed soul with His boundless mercy and grant him a place in His paradise.

The SOC strongly condemns the horrifying murder that occurred in Adana, an act meticulously planned and orchestrated by a group of criminals. There is no denying that the proliferation of hate speech and racist rhetoric towards refugees, propagated by certain entities and individuals, subjects refugees to significant psychological duress. This reprehensible conduct also exposes them and their families to blackmail, threats, and, in many instances, endangers their lives. The consequences of hate speech and racist rhetoric have, tragically, resulted in multiple deaths, as seen in the recent heinous incident leading to the murder of Ahmed Madrati.

The unrelenting dissemination of hate speech and racist rhetoric on social media and through some media outlets, unchecked and unpunished, will undoubtedly lead to a surge in hate crimes and racial discrimination. The responsibility for this lies squarely with those entities and individuals actively engaged in perpetuating media incitement against refugees.

We wish to emphasize that, in the aftermath of this painful incident, hate speech and racial discrimination do not in any way reflect the true values and ethics of the vast majority of the Turkish population. The Turkish people have extended significant support to Syrians seeking refuge in their country to escape violence and destruction. A powerful testament to this fact is the recent demonstration in Istanbul on September 16, where Turks came out in support of refugees and against racism. The SOC deeply appreciates the efforts, both popular and governmental, aimed at combating hate speech and incitement against refugees, particularly Syrians. Turkey, as a nation founded on the principles of law and justice, gives us confidence that the judiciary will follow due process to hold the criminals accountable and ensure justice prevails. We are committed to fulfilling our duty to our people by taking all necessary legal measures to see this case through until a final and just verdict is reached against the perpetrators.

The presence of Syrian refugees in various countries around the world has, for the most part, proven to be a valuable addition to the societies in which they reside. They are renowned for their adherence to host country laws, their generosity, and their high levels of productivity in their work. Furthermore, they have developed expertise in various fields such as medicine, engineering, chemistry, and have also made significant investments in their host countries.

The SOC underscores that the only viable path to ensure the dignified, secure, and voluntary return of refugees to their homeland is by achieving a comprehensive political solution in Syria, one that leads to the full and rigorous implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2254 (2015).

Our thoughts are with the innocent victims, and we extend our deepest condolences to their families, loved ones, friends, and the broader Syrian community.