REDUCING THE RISK OF MILITARIZATION IN TURKEY'S REFUGEE CAMPS

The militarization of refugee camps is a pressing issue that is not granted enough international attention. By definition, refugee camps are intended to be temporary settlements which provide refuge to those fleeing violence. However, there have been a number of cases in which armed elements have indeed infiltrated refugee camps, and thus endangered their civilian nature. In this article, the author argues that in contrast to cases in Kenya and Jordan, Turkey's camps have so far not become militarized. This is primarily due to the efficient running of the camps by the Turkish state.