Update: Syrians Still Risk Deportation from Turkey

Syrian refugees are still at risk of deportation from Turkey, and the Turkish authorities may implement plans to force large numbers of them to a so-called “safe zone” in northern Syria. This is an active conflict zone, as evidenced by Turkey’s own recent military action in the north-eastern part of the country in October 2019.

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Dear Minister, I am writing to express serious concern about the recent treatment of Syrian refugees in Turkey and the potential implementation of longstanding plans to unlawfully relocate people to a so-called “safe zone” in northern Syria. I recognize and appreciate that your country is the world’s largest host of refugees, at around 4 million people. But this admirable generosity does not absolve your government of its obligation to respect international law and protect the rights of the people under its jurisdiction – including refugees from Syria. In a comprehensive briefing published on 25 October 2019, Amnesty International showed that in mid-2019 it is likely that hundreds of Syrian refugees across Turkey were apprehended, detained, and deported against their will, usually after being coerced or misled into signing so-called “voluntary return” documents. Those who manage to re-enter Turkey find that their Turkish identification documents have been cancelled. Syrians without valid identification documents are unable to access essential services and are at heightened risk of deportation or re-deportation. I am also deeply concerned about the Turkish authorities’ longstanding plans to relocate large numbers of Syrian refugees to the northern part of Syria, on the false basis that this area is currently safe. Syria remains one of the world’s most dangerous countries. Deporting anyone to Syria violates the international law principle of non-refoulement. I urge you to immediately stop deporting Syrian refugees, ensure that those whose identification documents have expired or been cancelled are able to renew them, and investigate all allegations of deportations to Syria. I also urge you to stop any plans to relocate Syrian refugees to a so-called “safe zone.” Yours sincerely, ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

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