Rethinking Turkey’s Refugee and Asylum Policy

The Syrian Civil War led to an explosion of asylum seekers, the largest seen in the 21st century. The number of persons fleeing, coupled with the rate at which they crossed international borders, have earned this outflow the title of a crisis. Although the current crisis is distinct from the one produced during the World War II, the international reaction to it is disturbingly familiar. In the wake of this crisis, many states introduced new or altered existing refugee or asylum policies. The pattern of policies, though seemingly outside the framework of international law on refugees and asylum seekers, falls well within it. In the context of the recent crisis, the uncaring reactions from governments not only stem from several self-interested policies but also from the international refugee and asylum legal system. This article explores how Turkey’s refugee and asylum policy evolved. Turkey has recently introduced a new comprehensive policy that establishes an institutional framework for dealing with refugee and asylum seekers flows. The focus of the article is on laws and regulations that the Turkish government has passed in recent years. First, it explains how the international refugee and asylum system is based on national security concern. It suggests that the shortcomings within the current international refugee and asylum system pave the way for states to neglect human security. Second, it addresses the steps taken by the Turkish government regarding refugees and asylum seekers. It argues that the Turkish laws and regulations are in line with the current refugee and asylum system that gives priority to national security over human security.