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Restore protection and healthcare for Syrian asylum seeker

Ahmad Aabo, a Syrian asylum seeker who has lived in Türkiye since 2012, lost his temporary protection status in 2023 after being diagnosed with HIV. Authorities assigned him a security code, wrongly labeling him a threat because of his medical condition.

In 2024, Ahmad was detained for six months in deportation centers in Istanbul and Adana, where he reported cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment. He was released in October 2024 after the deportation order was lifted and the security code removed.

Despite his release, the government has not reinstated his temporary protection status. As a result, Ahmad is being denied access to free medical care that he urgently needs.

Turkish authorities must immediately restore Ahmad Aabo’s temporary protection status and ensure he has full access to essential healthcare and other related rights.

Here’s what you can do:

Write to the Turkish authorities urging them to:

  • Intervene immediately to restore Ahmad Aabo’s temporary protection status.
  • Ensure he has access to free medical care necessary to protect his health.

Write to:

Mr. Hüseyin Kök

Presidency of Migration Management

Çamlıca Mahallesi 122. Cadde No:4

Yenimahalle

ANKARA/Türkiye

Email: gocidaresi@goc.gov.tr  

Salutation: Dear Mr. Hüseyin Kök

And copy:

His Excellency Can Dizdar

Ambassador

Embassy of the Republic of Türkiye

197 Wurtemburg Street

Ottawa, ON K1N 8L9

Tel: (613) 244-2470 Fax: (613) 789-3442

Email: embassy.ottawa@mfa.gov.tr

Loss of protection and access to healthcare

Ahmad Aabo, 29, arrived in Türkiye in 2012 as an unaccompanied minor and later regularized his stay by applying for temporary protection in 2017 as a Syrian asylum seeker. In September 2023, after donating blood through the Red Crescent, he learned he was HIV-positive. For the next eight months, he received treatment, including antiretroviral medication and check-ups, at public hospitals.

Ahmad Aabo is a 29 year-old Syrian asylum seeker in Turkiye. His temporary protection was removed in 2024 after his HIV diagnosis. As a result, he has not been able to access free medical treatment.

However, in April 2024, during a routine visit to renew his prescription, Ahmad was told his social security had been deactivated. He was instructed to report to the Kumkapı District Migration Management Directorate. When he complied, he was placed in administrative detention at the Arnavutköy Removal Centre in Istanbul.

Mistreatment in detention and rejection of protection

From April to July 2024, Ahmad was denied the medication he needed to manage his HIV. He was held in isolation and subjected to cruel and degrading treatment. He reported being verbally abused about his sexual orientation and HIV status, and said food was thrown at him through the door of his cell.

Thanks to his own efforts, Ahmad was referred to a hospital in July and finally received treatment, which helped bring his viral load under control. In October 2024, the authorities withdrew the deportation order and lifted the G-78 security code linked to his HIV status. He was released and instructed to reapply for temporary protection.

Despite following these instructions, his application was rejected in December 2024 on vague claims of being a “threat to public order and security.” Appeals to suspend the decision were also rejected in January and June 2025. His main appeal is still pending before the Istanbul Administrative Court No. 1.

Discrimination and violations of right

Since 2014, Syrian asylum seekers in Türkiye have been granted temporary protection, which provides access to healthcare, education, social services, and the right to work. According to Article 12 of the Temporary Protection Regulations, protection can only be withdrawn under specific circumstances—which do not include having a communicable disease.

Ahmad’s case appears to be rooted in discrimination based on his health status and sexual orientation. By revoking his temporary protection, Türkiye is denying him access to essential healthcare. This violates not only its national laws but also its international obligations. As a party to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, Türkiye is required to uphold the right to health for everyone, without discrimination.

Please take action as soon as possible until February 4, 2026. The UA will be duly updated should there be the need for further action.

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