The Association for Migration Research (GAR) is pleased to announce the publication of its latest report, “Understanding the Surge of Anti-Migrant Sentiment in Turkey: A Social Network Analysis,” prepared in collaboration with the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) Turkey Office.
This comprehensive study examines anti-migrant discourse circulating on X (formerly Twitter) between 2016 and 2023. Focusing on the hashtags #SyriansToSyria, #SyriansGetOut, #IDontWantSyriansInMyCountry, and #SyriansGoBack, the report explores a central question:
“Who drives the dissemination of anti-migrant narratives, and how do they spread?”
Key Findings
- Elite-Driven Transformation:
The spread of anti-migrant discourse in Turkey is not a spontaneous grassroots movement but a politically coordinated effort led by organized and partisan actors. The establishment of the Victory Party in 2021 marked a turning point that institutionalized and amplified these narratives. - Politically Targeted Discourse:
The conversation primarily targeted state institutions and political figures, turning migration into a direct instrument of confrontation and blame. - Event-Driven Waves:
Sharp spikes in online hostility coincided with the 2019 local elections, the 2023 national elections, and the February 2023 earthquakes, showing that anti-migrant narratives intensify during periods of political competition and social crisis. - Consolidation Around Slogans:
Over time, #SyriansToSyria became the dominant and most enduring slogan, anchoring the anti-refugee discourse. - Passive Public Role:
Most users acted as passive audiences, while a small number of politically affiliated accounts were responsible for the active dissemination of anti-migrant content.
The report argues that anti-migrant discourse in Turkey is not the product of spontaneous public hostility, but rather a strategically nurtured and digitally organized phenomenon.
It highlights how misinformation, political polarization, and crisis-driven scapegoating are systematically used in the digital sphere to shape public opinion, demonstrating that migration debates are as much political strategies as social reactions.
Policy Recommendations
- Strengthen legal protections and address systematic discrimination,
- Enable civil society and academia to play a more active role in countering misinformation,
- Foster solidarity and dialogue between migrants and host communities,
- Promote media literacy and challenge stereotypes through responsible journalism.
Read the full report here: [Report Link]
