Syrian asylum seeker Ahmad Aabo, who has lived in Türkiye since 2012, had his temporary protection status revoked in 2023 after being diagnosed with HIV and assigned a security code because “he carries a communicable disease.”
On August 26, 2025, the Istanbul Migration Management Directorate restored Ahmad Aabo’s temporary protection status, ending his two-year ordeal. His social security was also reactivated, giving him back access to free health care.
Detention and fear
In 2023, authorities revoked Ahmad Aabo’s temporary protection status after his HIV diagnosis. In 2024, he was detained for six months in deportation centres in Istanbul and Adana and faced the risk of being forcibly returned to Syria. He reported cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment during his detention.
In October 2024, he was released after the deportation order was lifted and the security code removed. However, his protection status was not restored. For months, he lived in fear of being detained again. In May 2025, this fear became reality when police stopped him during an ID check and detained him for three days at the Arnavutköy deportation centre.
Urgent action brings change
On August 4, 2025, Amnesty International launched an urgent action on his behalf. Just three weeks later, Ahmad was called to the Istanbul Migration Management Directorate, where he was given back his protection status and issued a new ID card. His access to health care was restored immediately.
This outcome shows the clear impact of Amnesty International’s urgent actions and the solidarity of people worldwide.
Speaking to Amnesty International, Ahmad Aabo said:
“The urgent action appeal helped me breathe again. I want to send my sincere gratitude to everyone. Simply because of my HIV+ status, I endured persecution, I was detained. I feared being detained every time I saw a police officer. I have my ID card again, I regained my rights. This is the impact of the urgent action. Thanking you is not enough. I wish that no one goes through what I have been through. HIV is not an illness. People living with HIV should be supported. They should not endure torture. I thank all those who signed appeals for me, all those who stood by me from the bottom of my heart.”
No further action is requested. Many thanks to everyone who sent appeals.
