Citizenship, de facto statelessness, and birth registration of Syrian migrants in Turkey


Çavlin Bircan A., Keskin F.

in: Syrian Refugees in Turkey: A Demographic Profile and Linked Social Challenges, Alanur Çavlin Bircan, Editor, Routledge, London/New York , London, pp.13-28, 2020

  • Publication Type: Book Chapter / Chapter Research Book
  • Publication Date: 2020
  • Publisher: Routledge, London/New York 
  • City: London
  • Page Numbers: pp.13-28
  • Editors: Alanur Çavlin Bircan, Editor
  • Hacettepe University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Following a decade of mass migration, the official status of Syrians in Turkey varies from stateless children to adults with full citizenship. Syrians’ access to protection, and basic rights and services like education, health services, paid employment, and the right to travel, is directly linked to their official status in Turkey. This chapter explores the citizenship (stateless, Syrian citizen, or Turkish citizen) and official status (unregistered, temporary resident, under temporary protection) of Syrian migrants in Turkey in relation to their basic socio-demographic characteristics. We focus in particular on the registration status of children under 5 years of age, due to their heightened risk of statelessness. Results show that 21% of Syrian children under 5 are not registered with civil authorities.