Duncan Lewis Secures Asylum for Kurdish Turkish Client Facing Police Harassment and Persecution Fears (8 July 2026)

A Turkish national of Kurdish ethnicity has been granted asylum in the United Kingdom after presenting evidence of police harassment, discrimination, and fears of detention if returned to Turkey. It is a well known fact that asylum approvals for Turkish citizens in the UK are uncommon with high refusal rates, making the decision particularly significant.

According to the applicant’s account, the client had never been actively involved in political organisations or movements in Turkey. The only public event attended by the client was the Workers’ Day march on 1 May 2022, which was described as a general social event rather than a political demonstration. During the march, police intervened forcefully, dispersing participants and detaining several individuals, including the client.

The client stated that despite attempting to leave the area, the client was physically dragged by police officers into a police vehicle and taken into custody. The client was detained overnight without proper legal procedures, access to representation, or a clear explanation of the allegations. During detention, the client was subjected to rough treatment by police officers and stated that a head injury was sustained. Although medical attention was later sought, the client was reportedly informed that the injury was minor and required no extensive treatment.

The client further described ongoing police scrutiny after the incident. In the summer of 2024, while travelling from Istanbul Airport to Çorlu, the client was stopped during a routine police control and questioned about previous encounters with authorities, workplace details, and residential address. Following this incident, the client stated that police officers repeatedly stopped and questioned the client in Çorlu, warning the client to avoid involvement in any activities.

After travelling to the United Kingdom on a visitor visa, the client learned from a roommate in Turkey that police officers had continued searching for the client. According to the testimony provided, officers visited the client’s residence, asked questions about the client’s whereabouts, and detained a friend for questioning. During that detention, police allegedly stated, “Let’s see if she can leave the country again. We will show her.”

The client stated that these events caused severe fear and anxiety about returning to Turkey, particularly due to concerns of detention, arrest, and continued targeting connected to Kurdish identity. Although the client acknowledged having stable employment and income in Turkey, the client maintained that life was lived under constant pressure and insecurity.

Following consideration of the account and surrounding circumstances, UK authorities  granted the client asylum protection. Successful asylum claims by Turkish nationals can be difficult due to the high evidential threshold required in UK asylum proceedings.

Extensive research conducted in relation to the case further connected the client's experiences with wider concerns surrounding the treatment of Alevi Kurdish individuals in Turkey. The evidence demonstrated that where the Turkish authorities perceive an individual to have been involved in political activity or opposition movements, particularly where they are also identified as Alevi Kurdish, they may face persistent police scrutiny, repeated questioning, intimidation and discrimination. Human rights concerns relating to ethnic discrimination, perceived political profiling and ongoing police harassment have been widely documented in relation to certain minority communities in Turkey.

In preparing the asylum claim, particular emphasis was placed on demonstrating the client's well-founded fear of persecution arising from the client's Alevi faith and Kurdish ethnicity. Detailed legal representations were supported by country evidence and relevant case law, including ST Turkey [2007] UKAIT 00085, which illustrates the importance of substantiating claims based on Kurdish ethnicity and Alevi faith with credible evidence.

The application also addressed potential credibility issues by ensuring the client's account was presented in a detailed and consistent witness statement, supported wherever possible by documentary evidence. The further representations clearly set out the client's circumstances, the legal framework, and the objective evidence demonstrating that the client faced a real risk of persecution if returned to Turkey.

Following consideration of the evidence, the Home Office accepted the client's claim and granted refugee status.

About Shashank Kumar

Shashank Kumar is a Trainee Caseworker at Duncan Lewis. He has gained valuable experience supporting legal casework, assisting clients, and contributing to the effective management of cases. He is committed to delivering professional and client-focused legal support while continually developing his knowledge and practical skills. With a strong interest in the legal profession and a dedication to continuous learning, Shashank strives to provide high-quality assistance and contribute positively to the firm's commitment to excellence in legal services.

About Duncan Lewis Solicitors

Duncan Lewis Solicitors is a leading UK law firm and one of the country's largest providers of legal aid services. Ranked by The Legal 500 and Chambers UK, the firm's Immigration and Public Law teams have extensive experience representing asylum seekers, refugees and vulnerable individuals in complex protection claims, judicial reviews and human rights matters.

With offices across England and Wales, Duncan Lewis acts for clients nationwide, providing expert legal advice in asylum, immigration, public law and a wide range of other legal services. The firm is committed to securing access to justice and delivering high-quality legal representation for individuals seeking protection in the UK.