content tagged with Refugees

Iranian refugee journalist Kaveh Taheri faces deportation

Iranian refugee journalist Kaveh Taheri faces deportation

The journalist was detained while on his way to the French consulate in İstanbul to apply for a humanitarian visa.

4 February 2026 Hikmet Adal

‘Return is a political responsibility’: Syrian feminist activist reflects on migration and return

‘Return is a political responsibility’: Syrian feminist activist reflects on migration and return

Displaced multiple times over the years, Duaa is now pursuing a permanent return to Syria. “I’ve been working for this moment for years. If we could make a difference, that’s where we needed to be," she says.

19 December 2025 Evrim Kepenek

Juvenile defendant sentenced to 23 years in prison over killing of Syrian refugee teen in Antalya

Juvenile defendant sentenced to 23 years in prison over killing of Syrian refugee teen in Antalya

Plaintiffs criticized the ruling, arguing that the court failed to consider the broader context of anti-Syrian hate crimes at the time.

7 November 2025

Migrant worker dies after alleged assault by employer’s relatives in İstanbul

Migrant worker dies after alleged assault by employer’s relatives in İstanbul

Four individuals have been detained in connection to the killing.

24 September 2025

Murat İnceoğlu

Refugee workers made to set up police barricades that have become part of İstanbul’s texture

Refugee workers made to set up police barricades that have become part of İstanbul’s texture

Police barricades made of iron barriers have become almost like pieces of urban furniture for İstanbul residents. Tourists visiting the Taksim area are likely capturing their memories with the barricades in the background as well. But have you ever wondered how they are set up, and by whom?

10 September 2025 Murat İnceoğlu

Iranian rapper sentenced to death after deportation from Turkey

Iranian rapper sentenced to death after deportation from Turkey

The 37-year-old artist, who lived in İstanbul from 2018 to 2023, was deported to Iran by Turkish authorities in December, despite his pending asylum application.

21 January 2025

Fall of Syrian regime opens door for refugees' safe return, says Turkish VP

Fall of Syrian regime opens door for refugees' safe return, says Turkish VP

“With the experiences and skills they have gained, they will serve as a strong bridge and a positive link between our country and Syria,” said Devdet Yılmaz.

9 December 2024

In photos: Syrians across Turkey celebrate fall of Baath regime

In photos: Syrians across Turkey celebrate fall of Baath regime

Syrian refugees across Turkey gathered in city squares to celebrate the end of the Baath rule in Syria. Waving both Free Syrian Army and Turkish flags, crowds marked the historic moment with jubilant demonstrations.

9 December 2024

Landlords in Turkey accused of trapping refugees into deportation scheme

Landlords in Turkey accused of trapping refugees into deportation scheme

An Iranian refugee claims that his landlord filed a complaint against him to get him deported after receiving six months’ rent in advance.

15 November 2024

Fire in Mersin refugee workers' home kills two

Fire in Mersin refugee workers' home kills two

A fire broke out in a semi-wooden house where six Syrian refugee workers stay.

28 October 2024

Syrian teen killed in İstanbul park shooting, five detained

Syrian teen killed in İstanbul park shooting, five detained

The family’s lawyer says they suspect the attack may have been racially motivated but warned against drawing early conclusions.

26 September 2024 Evrim Kepenek

Organ trafficking suspicions arise in killing of refugee worker in Turkey's Zonguldak

Organ trafficking suspicions arise in killing of refugee worker in Turkey's Zonguldak

Mohammad Nourtani was seriously injured while working in an unlicensed mine. The mine owners, who allegedly brought him to the surface while he was still alive, are accused of removing his organs and burning his body.

19 September 2024

Four Kurds involved in ‘Mahsa Amini’ protests face deportation to Iran

Four Kurds involved in ‘Mahsa Amini’ protests face deportation to Iran

The four individuals fled to Turkey after facing legal action in Iran for their involvement in the protests sparked by the death of Jina Mahsa Amini.

13 September 2024

Thousands of Syrians forced to leave Kayseri following anti-refugee violence

Thousands of Syrians forced to leave Kayseri following anti-refugee violence

An alleged incident of child abuse had led to violent attacks targeting the city’s refugee community in late June.

Hindrance of HIV+ refugee’s treatment brought to parliamentary agenda

Hindrance of HIV+ refugee’s treatment brought to parliamentary agenda

Ahmed Aabo hasn’t been able to access HIV medication since his temporary protection status was deactivated. MP Bayhan argues that his situation “exemplifies the broader systemic issues.”

Sharp increase in emigration from Turkey in 2023

Sharp increase in emigration from Turkey in 2023

Conversely, immigration to Turkey saw a 35% decrease from the previous year. Among foreign nationals, Russians topped the list for both those immigrating to and leaving Turkey.

HIV positive Syrian refugee ‘left for dead’ in İstanbul removal center

HIV positive Syrian refugee ‘left for dead’ in İstanbul removal center

Ahmed Aaabo’s treatment has been disrupted by bureaucratic hurdles after his temporary protection status was removed, says his lawyer.

16 July 2024 Evrim Kepenek

More than 1,000 individuals detained across Turkey over anti-refugee violence

More than 1,000 individuals detained across Turkey over anti-refugee violence

Violent attacks on refugees in Kayseri following an alleged child abuse incident spread to other regions.

15-year-old Syrian child fatally stabbed in Antalya amid anti-refugee violence

15-year-old Syrian child fatally stabbed in Antalya amid anti-refugee violence

Three suspects, all minors themselves, have been arrested following the incident.

Detentions in Kayseri rise to 484 following anti-refugee violence

Detentions in Kayseri rise to 484 following anti-refugee violence

The interior minister has once again urged for prudence against xenophobia.

Violent protests target refugee community in Turkey’s Kayseri after alleged sexual assault on minor

Violent protests target refugee community in Turkey’s Kayseri after alleged sexual assault on minor

Dozens of individuals have been taken into custody following the incidents. The events triggered counter-protests in the Turkish-controlled parts of northern Syria.

1 July 2024 Volga Kuşçuoğlu

Syrian refugee missing for 100 days after release from prison

Syrian refugee missing for 100 days after release from prison

Following Veli’s disappearance, unidentified callers using a Turkish phone number contacted his family, claiming that Veli would be released in exchange for his father. Shortly after, the same number sent Veli’s family images of him being tortured.

Waseem Ahmad Siddiqui

A conversation on permanent temporality and decolonization

A conversation on permanent temporality and decolonization

What separates me from so many leftist friends in Europe is that they do not recognize the right of Palestinians to resist.

10 June 2024 Waseem Ahmad Siddiqui

Study finds excessive adolescent birth rates in Urfa amid lack of birth control

Study finds excessive adolescent birth rates in Urfa amid lack of birth control

The city's refugee-populated areas saw a higher increase in adolescent birth rates. Access to birth control at primary healthcare facilities has been severely limited in Turkey since 2020.

Allegations of sexual assault, drug addiction at Balıkesir removal center

Allegations of sexual assault, drug addiction at Balıkesir removal center

The report also outlines additional issues within the removal center, including allegations of detainees being subjected to hate speech by staff members, inadequate medical care, and a lack of basic necessities such as blankets and drinking water.

Study: Being a foreign prisoner in Turkey

Study: Being a foreign prisoner in Turkey

"The series of problems starting with language barriers and hindering access to many rights is felt more deeply by foreign nationals in prison environments, along with isolation," says the new edition of the study by the Civil Society Association in the Penal Execution System.

Lawyers sey they can't reach refugees in İstanbul

Lawyers sey they can't reach refugees in İstanbul

At least 35 refugees, including women and seriously ill individuals, cannot be contacted.

13 February 2024 Evrim Kepenek

Eight arrested in Ankara for anti-refugee social media posts

Eight arrested in Ankara for anti-refugee social media posts

Last week, 27 people were detained during police raids targeting individuals running anti-refugee accounts on social media.

25 September 2023

Refugee Rights Platform warns about increasing rights violations and xenophobia

Refugee Rights Platform warns about increasing rights violations and xenophobia

Speaking at a press conference organized by the Refugee Rights Platform, Lawyer Gülden Sönmez stated, "Even refugees who have not committed any crimes are held in deportation centers for 3 months. They are forced to sign the voluntary return text under duress."

19 September 2023

EU grants 781 million euros for 'most vulnerable' refugees in Turkey

EU grants 781 million euros for 'most vulnerable' refugees in Turkey

The agreement marks the largest contract ever signed between Turkey and the EU for refugees.

7 September 2023

Migrant boat sinks near Lesbos, claiming lives of five people, including four children

Migrant boat sinks near Lesbos, claiming lives of five people, including four children

The incident occurred in Turkey's territorial waters, says Greek authorities.

Child abuse incident leads to anti-refugee protests in Urfa

Child abuse incident leads to anti-refugee protests in Urfa

After a Syrian man was arrested for abusing a child in Urfa, local residents took to the streets and vandalized shops owned by refugees.

1
2
3
4
5
...
10