Enhancing The Understanding Of Returns And Readmission Policies In Turkey: GAPs Project Stakeholder Expert Panel With Legal Experts By SRII
A frame from GAPs Project stakeholders expert panel meeting
On January 19, 2024, the Swedish Research Institute in Istanbul (SRII) organized the first Stakeholder Expert Panel (SEP) of the GAPs: De-centring the Study of Migrant Returns and Readmission Policies in Europe and Beyond Project in Istanbul with the collaboration of Özyeğin University and the participation of over twenty legal experts and academics. This gathering focused on the legal, institutional, and policy frameworks governing the processes of returns and readmission in Turkey. This first meeting launched a “network of stakeholder experts” that will facilitate better coordination and collaboration between the project research team and relevant institutions, and experts in the policy area. In this regard, the event was distinguished by its aim to integrate academic rigor with practical insights, enhancing the depth and scope of the ongoing Turkey country case study under the GAPs Project.
The meeting focused on evaluating Turkey’s return policies in the context of the “Legal and Policy Infrastructures of Returns in the EU” work package co-led by the SRII. SEP provided an in-depth analysis of return policy legislatively and in practice and discussed both positive and problematic regulations or practices in the context of participants’ experiences and expertise.
Following the opening speeches and the presentation by Prof. Dr. Ayhan Kaya (member of the Academic Board of the GAPs), Dr. N. Ela Gökalp-Aras (Principal Investigator), Dr. Neva Övünç Öztürk (Senior Researcher), and Dr. Susan B. Rottmann (Principal Investigator) introduced the project’s objectives and shared the preliminary findings derived from an extensive desk study. Their presentation set the stage for a comprehensive discussion, delving into the complexities and gaps of Turkey’s governance framework for returns. This exploration particularly emphasized the tangible impact these policies have on the lives of migrants and refugees.
A group picture of event participants
A unique feature of the workshop was the inclusion of legal experts with firsthand experience working in Turkey’s western, eastern, and southeastern border provinces. These practitioners and legal experts brought to light practical case studies on the processes of return, deportation, and legal appeals. Their contributions were instrumental in fostering a more nuanced understanding of the diverse modalities of returns, encompassing both formal structures and informal practices.
The panel underscored the paramount importance of engaging with legal experts to enrich the analytical framework of the GAPs Turkey country case study. Such interactions enhance the reliability of the study and elevate its quality by incorporating diverse perspectives and empirical evidence.