Uyghurs fleeing repression often view Türkiye as one of the few places offering cultural familiarity, linguistic proximity, and the possibility of rebuilding life with dignity. Yet for many, arrival does not mark the end of insecurity. Administrative “restriction codes”—bureaucratic classifications that can limit travel, residency procedures, work authorization, or access to services—can leave individuals suspended in a state of legal uncertainty. From a human-rights standpoint, the indeterminate nature of such codes places Uyghur asylum-seekers at heightened risk of vulnerability, constraining their ability to stabilize their lives, secure documentation, or reunite with family members.
The despair these restrictions generate is profound. Uyghurs already carry psychological trauma associated with loss, detention of relatives, or separation from their homeland. Encountering opaque administrative hurdles in a country they hoped would provide safety compounds this trauma. Unclear pathways to resolve or contest restrictive classifications can produce feelings of helplessness, leaving individuals unsure whether they can build a future or whether they may face detention, deportation pressures, or prolonged statelessness. Many express a sense of being trapped between fear of returning to danger and the impossibility of truly settling where they are.
As the Rights Defenders Initiative (RDI), we emphasize that Türkiye should take concrete steps to prevent asylum seekers from being left in legal and social limbo by strengthening transparency and procedural safeguards regarding restriction codes. Our recommendations focus on improving communication with affected individuals, establishing clear and accessible appeal mechanisms, and ensuring that no administrative measures result in indirect refoulement or prolonged insecurity.
References
- Human Rights Watch. Türkiye: “Restriction Codes” Harm Uyghurs Seeking Safety. 12 November 2025. https://www.hrw.org/news/2025/11/12/turkiye-restriction-codes-harm-uyghurs-seeking-safety Human Rights Watch
- Le Monde. “Uyghurs are no longer welcome in Turkey”. 14 November 2025. https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2025/11/14/uyghurs-are-no-longer-welcome-in-turkey_6747440_4.html Le Monde.fr
- Associated Press. “Turkey urges Chinese authorities to protect the cultural rights of minority Muslim Uyghurs”. 5 June 2024. https://apnews.com/article/11834ba94024ea82af1f45c5df1fbd82 AP News
- Axios. “Turkey rejected Uyghur citizenship applications over ‘national security’ risks”. 1 March 2022.
https://www.axios.com/2022/03/01/turkey-rejected-uyghur-citizenship Axios - Reuters. “Turkey detains six suspected of spying on Uyghurs for China”. 20 February 2024. https://www.reuters.com/world/turkey-detains-six-suspected-spying-uyghurs-china-2024-02-20/
