Media Discussion on the Naturalization Policy for Syrians in Turkey
| Published date | 01 April 2019 |
| Author | Reyhan Atasü‐Topçuoğlu |
| Date | 01 April 2019 |
| DOI | http://doi.org/10.1111/imig.12463 |
Media Discussion on the Naturalization
Policy for Syrians in Turkey
Reyhan Atas€
u-Topcßuo
glu*
ABSTRACT
This study focuses on the public opinion on the naturalization policy for Syrians in Turkey. It
analyses news media coverage inthe religious, far-right newspaper(Yeni Akit), a centre-right
newspaper (H€
urriyet), a social democrat newspaper (Cumhuriyet), and a socialist-left news
portal (Solportal). The research question is: What are the metaphors, arguments, and omissions
produced by media of different ideologies about the possible citizenship of Syrians in Turkey?
The results show that metaphors and arguments differ according to ideological stance, suggest-
ing that the current political polarization in Turkey affects the public’s acceptance of Syrians
and challenges Turkey’s established migration policy. Each ideological stance accepts Syrians
on a selective basis, implying that universal naturalization of Syrians is not welcome; instead,
there seems to be consensus favouring naturalization according to socio-economic criteria.
These results indicate a need for a change in migration policy, especially concerning disadvan-
taged Syrians.
INTRODUCTION
In March 2018, the war in Syria will have entered its eighth year. The ongoing violence has
resulted in more than two million dead or injured and 5.5 million refugees (UNHCR, 2017a:53).
The UNCHR (2014) has called this “the biggest humanitarian emergency of our era”. Syrian refu-
gees have fled to different countries on all continents. The majority (3 million) are in Turkey. A
further 1 million are in Lebanon, 0.6 million in Jordan and 0.2 million in Iraq (UNCHR, 2017a).
The forced migration of Syrians has given rise to challenges for neighbouring and European
states. These challenges arise at the junction point of the protection of human rights, economic con-
siderations, and the politics of identity. During the first months of the crisis, camps were estab-
lished in Turkey as temporary humanitarian aid systems. They kept refugees and their host society
separated. But as numbers continued to grow, the camps turned out to be insufficient. Currently,
nine out of ten Syrian refugees live in cities, not camps (UNCHR, 2017b). City life not only offers
more opportunities, but also brings challenges related to basic rights, such as discrimination, ten-
sions with host communities and difficulties in accessing social services. As the conflict in Syria
continues and the duration of the Syrians’stay is extended, the question of the sustainability of the
status quo arises. The search for more durable solutions has seen naturalization policy move to the
front of the political agenda. In July 2016, the President of Turkey publicly proposed the option of
a naturalization policy, prompting a tense media discussion, although as yet no concrete action has
been taken to implement such a plan. The current status quo –which impacts millions of lives –
being clearly unsustainable, policy shifts are inevitable. These developments highlight the need to
* Hacettepe University, Ankara
doi: 10.1111/imig.12463
©2018 The Author
International Migration ©2018 IOM
International Migration Vol. 57 (2) 2019
ISSN 0020-7985Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
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