The Turkish authorities have revoked the citizenship of Syrian human rights activist Taha al-Ghazi, known for his advocacy on behalf of Syrian refugees in Turkey.
Ghazi confirmed the news, initially circulated by Syrian activists on social media. He announced on his personal Facebook page that his citizenship was revoked on May 27th. He had chosen not to disclose the information earlier to avoid causing fear and anxiety among the Syrian refugee community in Turkey, noting that some parties had publicized the news as a scoop.
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Some commentators linked the revocation of Ghazi’s citizenship to recent racist incidents in the state of Kayseri, where violence against Syrians by Turks had occurred. However, Al-Ghazi denied any connection, stating that the decision was unrelated to media appearances or activities following the events in Kayseri.
The judicial system as a last resort
Ghazi intends to challenge the decision in court, expressing his belief in the judicial system as the means to regain his nationality. He emphasized that he has no plans to leave Turkey or seek asylum elsewhere, reaffirming his commitment to defending the rights of Syrian refugees, as he has done for years.
By the end of 2023, the number of Syrians holding exceptional Turkish citizenship reached 238,555, according to Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya. Data from the Immigration Department of the Ministry of Interior indicates that 3,426,719 Syrian refugees live in Turkey under temporary protection, including 63,720 in temporary shelters, while 3,362,989 reside outside these centers.
Some commentators argued that the revocation of Ghazi’s citizenship reflects the precarious status of naturalized Syrians, who are often treated as second-class citizens. The racist rhetoric that emerged during the Kayseri events in June has exacerbated this sentiment, with some Turks dismissing naturalized Syrians as “non-Turks” despite their legal status.
This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
