Private International Law Issues In The Voluntary Return Of Syrian Women: A Turkish Case Study

Abstract

This study examines the legal status of Syrian refugees in Türkiye, emphasizing the effects of the open-door policy introduced in 2011, which permitted a large influx of women and children fleeing the Syrian civil conflict. The legal framework governing their status includes the Law on Foreigners and International Protection (LFIP) and the Temporary Protection Regulation, which enables temporary protection. With the overthrow of the Assad regime in December 2024, there is renewed focus on the voluntary return process. This research explores the differences in substantive divorce laws between Syria and Türkiye for vulnerable migrants, particularly Syrian women. This highlights the impact of changing marital status on the voluntary return process and the recognition of the Turkish court’s rulings in the country of origin in personal and family law disputes involving Syrian women.