海外发展研究所-土耳其的难民宣传：从地方到全球（英）-2021.9-49页_1mb

Summary of "Refugee Advocacy in Turkey: From Local to Global"

Core Content

This report, authored by Amanda Gray Meral, Mia Tong, Josephine Whitaker-Yilmaz, Turker Saliji, Ceren Topgül, and Meryem Aslan, examines the dynamics of refugee protection advocacy in Turkey, focusing on the interplay between local, national, and international actors. It highlights the challenges and opportunities for collaboration in the context of the Syrian refugee crisis, which has been the most significant displacement situation in the country's history.

Main Views and Key Information

1. Lack of Common Vision and Coordination

• Local, national, and international actors do not share a unified vision or agenda for protection advocacy.
• Advocacy priorities often diverge, with local and refugee-led organizations focusing on social cohesion, access to livelihoods, and education, while international actors are more influenced by donor funding and operational needs.
• This lack of alignment hinders the development of a cohesive advocacy strategy that centers on the rights and needs of refugees.

2. Tokenistic and Extractive Partnerships

• Despite commitments to 'localise' aid, partnerships between local/national and international actors in Turkey are often limited to subcontracting arrangements.
• Local and national actors receive minimal direct, core, or flexible funding, which limits their capacity to lead or shape advocacy.
• There is a lack of meaningful collaboration, with international actors often dominating the agenda and not recognizing the expertise of local/national actors.

3. Language and Terminology Disparities

• International actors use the term 'protection advocacy' within the UN cluster system, while local/national actors often refer to 'refugee rights' advocacy.
• This difference in terminology can be seen as exclusionary by local actors, who may feel their perspectives and expertise are not adequately represented.
• The sector-based approach to humanitarian aid is less effective in addressing the intersectionality of rights, such as freedom of movement, which is crucial for accessing services.

4. Common Interest in Influencing Government Actors

• All actors share an interest in engaging with government institutions at various levels to influence policies and practices.
• Local actors are more flexible in their advocacy strategies and can target a wider range of influential actors.
• Collaborative approaches that build long-term, mutually accountable relationships with government are more effective than high-profile, reactive methods like petitions.

Key Findings and Recommendations

5. Recommendations for Improvement

• Local Leadership: Advocacy should be led by local and national actors, with international actors playing a supportive role.
• Meaningful Partnerships: There is a need for more equal and substantive collaboration between local/national and international actors.
• Long-term Strategies: Advocacy efforts should focus on sustainable, long-term approaches that align with the needs of protracted displacement contexts.

Context and Background

6. Turkey as a Refugee Host Country

• Turkey hosts the largest number of refugees in the world, particularly Syrian refugees, with over 3.6 million registered under the Temporary Protection Regulation (TPR).
• Refugees are predominantly located in urban and peri-urban areas, living alongside local host communities.
• The country's well-developed infrastructure and active civil society have enabled it to provide better access to education, healthcare, and employment for refugees compared to other regions.

7. Government Response to the Syrian Refugee Crisis

• The Turkish government's initial response was based on a humanitarian approach, assuming the crisis would be temporary.
• The Law on Foreigners and International Protection (LFIP) provides a legal framework for the temporary protection of Syrian refugees.
• The TPR outlines specific rights for registered Syrians, including access to public services, and has been successful in integrating refugees into existing state services.

8. Challenges Faced by Syrian Refugees

• The temporary nature of protection and the geographical restrictions on access to services pose significant challenges.
• Registration requirements are tied to specific provinces, and in recent years, some provinces have stopped accepting new registrations, affecting refugees who have moved to larger cities.
• This has created a dilemma for refugees, forcing them to choose between economic opportunities and access to essential services.

Methodology

• The research was conducted as part of a multi-year project by the Humanitarian Policy Group (HPG) at ODI.
• It involved in-depth interviews with 44 international actors and 26 local/national civil society organizations, including 11 refugee-led organizations.
• Interviews were conducted via videoconferencing due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
• A literature review was also carried out to inform the study, covering topics such as protection advocacy, refugee rights in urban settings, and the localisation of humanitarian aid.

Limitations

• The research was impacted by the global restrictions caused by the pandemic, limiting face-to-face interactions.
• Some organizations were unwilling or unable to participate, leading to a lack of diverse perspectives.
• The reliance on videoconferencing may have affected the development of trust and rapport with interviewees.

Conclusion

The study underscores the need for a more inclusive and collaborative approach to protection advocacy in Turkey, emphasizing the importance of local leadership and the recognition of local and national expertise. It calls for a shift in the humanitarian system to ensure that advocacy efforts are not only localised but also equitable and sustainable.