A friend of mine who went to the doctor with complaints of insomnia and nightmares when he slept, explained in detail what he was experiencing. The doctor gave the following advice; Don’t think about these things… Close the pages of yesterday… Look ahead… Don’t mind, ignore… If you act like this, your insomnia and nightmare problems will ease.

My friend replied to the doctor, “What does this mean?” and continued; How can I close my eyes and remain indifferent to everything when millions of people are still suffering in the country I had to flee from, when my relatives are under threat of imprisonment and death under a dictatorial regime, when many people feel deeply the heavy toll that injustice, high cost of living and corruption in the country have taken on society?

I consider such an idea of being indifferent to people’s problems as dehumanization. Think about it. For example, the US administration puts its military personnel who have served in cities like Baghdad and Kabul for a while through therapy upon their return. Because even when they return, they still have nightmares and experience trauma. However, people who are refugees come here after having spent their entire lives in those countries. You will agree that their trauma is much deeper. Please do not suggest that I remain indifferent to the problems in the country I came from. Let me suggest other solutions. My friend says, when I said these things, I saw my doctor looking at me with despair.

I never forget, one day my wife Sheyma said to a friend; “There are problems in life that follow you wherever you go. It is impossible to ignore them and act as if they do not exist. Despite this, we should neither get stuck in yesterday nor be unprepared for tomorrow. As long as we can manage this in balance, we can manage to hold on to life.” I really liked this observation of my wife.

Democratic countries should not develop relations based on interest with dictatorial regimes just because it serves their own interests. Every relationship with them should lead them to a path where they will be more respectful of human rights and freedoms, and ensure this. As long as people cannot find peace in the geographies they live in, they will seek a solution in migrating to other places. There is no other way to permanently solve the problem of irregular immigration that currently threatens many countries.

It is necessary to find solutions to all human problems, not only for the individual peace and health of our own people, but also for the peace of the whole world. Any other solution will be far from permanent. Closing our eyes and remaining indifferent will never be a solution.

By Osman OZSOY