The role of Turkish administrative courts in developing jurisprudence on refugee rights: review of the judgments of the administrative courts from 2014 to 2021

Abstract

ABSTRACT Turkish administrative courts have a unique role in developing jurisprudence after the adoption of the Law on Foreigners and International Protection in 2014. This article analyses Turkish administrative courts' judgements from 2014 to January 2021 and examines whether there is consistency in the case law of the administrative courts. This article concludes that the decision-making of the administrative courts is still too much of a lottery. There are three main reasons that lead to inconsistencies in the jurisprudence of the administrative courts. The first reason is that court decisions explaining the reasons for their adjudication are not published. Second, some articles in the asylum law give large discretion to the administrative authorities under public security and public order. The third reason is deficiencies in the training of administrative judges and a lack of case law.