Justice For All Warns Türkiye Failing to Protect Uyghur Refugees, Citing Human Rights Watch Report

Justice For All Warns Türkiye Failing to Protect Uyghur Refugees, Citing Human Rights Watch Report
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Human rights advocates have raised alarm over the treatment of Uyghur refugees in Türkiye, following a new report from Human Rights Watch (HRW) titled “Protected No More: Uyghurs in Türkiye.” The findings indicate a sharp decline in legal protections for Uyghurs, with increasing cases of arbitrary detention, deportation pressure, and the misuse of vague “restriction codes.”

According to the organization, the report highlights that Turkish authorities are canceling residence permits, denying citizenship applications, and detaining Uyghurs in overcrowded deportation centers. Some detainees have reportedly been coerced into signing “voluntary return” forms, raising fears of refoulement to China, where Uyghurs face ongoing persecution.

Arslan Hidayat, team lead for Justice For All’s Save Uyghur Campaign, said: “Uyghurs in Türkiye are losing the protections they once relied on. Families are terrified to renew documents, afraid to leave their homes, and living under constant threat of being sent back to a place where crimes against humanity are ongoing.”

Imam Abdul Malik Mujahid, president of Justice For All, emphasized the role of Muslim-majority countries in protecting vulnerable populations. “When families fear detention each time they step outside, it is clear the systems meant to protect them are failing. We call on Türkiye and other Muslim-majority nations to uphold their duty to safeguard those fleeing genocide,” he said.

HRW’s report notes that Türkiye is not meeting its international legal obligations, including the principle of non-refoulement, while Chinese authorities continue transnational repression targeting Uyghurs abroad.

In response, Justice For All’s Save Uyghur Campaign urged the international community to expand resettlement pathways, monitor Türkiye’s treatment of Uyghur refugees, and confront ongoing crimes against humanity in China. The campaign stressed that thousands of Uyghur families remain trapped between the persecution they fled and shrinking protections in their host country.