Love in the Time of Xenophobia: Afyon Municipality Defies Court Order, Reinstates Discriminatory Marriage Fee Policy
- Turkey's western Afyonkarahisar Municipality has reinstated its xenophobic marriage fee policy for immigrant residents, despite a previous court order.
- The municipality had initially increased the fee by 24 times for immigrant residents, setting it at 10,000 liras ($294), a move that was met with opposition.
- A Turkish court had annulled this decision following a request from the International Association for Refugee Rights, citing it as unjust.
Azbay Nails / WALL
Turkey’s western Afyonkarahisar Municipality has reinstated its xenophobic marriage fee policy for immigrant residents, despite a previous court order.
The municipality had initially increased the fee by 24 times for immigrant residents, setting it at 10,000 liras ($294), a move that was met with opposition.
A Turkish court had annulled this decision following a request from the International Association for Refugee Rights, citing it as unjust.
However, the municipality has now increased the fee by 24 times once again, sparking further controversy.
Mayor Burcu Köksal, a member of the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), defended the decision, stating that the court had deemed the previous rate too high, prompting the municipality to cancel and increase it by 24 times.
Translated by Alperen Şen