Report on İzmir and Aydın Removal Center Visits (October – December 2024)

Mülteci-Der has been providing crucial legal aid to detained migrants, asylum seekers, temporary protection status holders, and refugees across Turkey for more than a decade. Based in İzmir, the association’s dedicated team of lawyers offers comprehensive legal support nationwide. These legal professionals are committed to ensuring that the rights of migrants and refugees are protected under Turkish and international law.

In addition to their office-based work, the lawyers of Mülteci-Der also conduct regular visits to Removal Centers (Geri Gönderme Merkezleri), where migrants and asylum seekers are detained. During these visits, they provide direct legal services to detainees, assisting them in navigating complex legal processes such as appeals against deportation and applications for international protection. Furthermore, Mülteci-Der uses these visits to assess the living conditions and treatment of detainees within the centers, helping to highlight and address any human rights violations or inadequate standards of care.

This report provides a detailed analysis based on visits conducted to İzmir Harmandalı and Aydın Removal Centers between October and December 2024. These visits were undertaken to assess the conditions of administrative detention, monitor compliance with international and national legal standards, and provide legal assistance to detainees. The findings reflect ongoing systemic challenges within Turkey’s detention centers, including overcrowding, inadequate healthcare, legal barriers, and insufficient support for vulnerable groups.