Engineering the Refugee Crisis- Governmentality through humanitarianism in the evolving context of Turkey

This study explores the dynamics of forced migration and refugee management in the context of Turkey through an examination of the evolving legal framework between 2013 and 2016. Weaving together a policy discourse analysis with the narratives of refugees in Turkey and their agency, I seek to challenge conventional discourses of victimhood and the use of humanitarian rhetoric to further political interests and manage flows using a critique of governmentality through humanitarianism. Particular attention is paid to the shift from an open door policy to the implementation of the New Law on Foreigners and Temporary International Protection, the provision of works permits and the Turkey-EU deal. This paper compares and contrasts the differing experiences of non-Syrian asylum-seekers and Syrians under guest status. In addition, I contemplate the discourse of crisis and management and interrogate the rhetoric of vulnerability and humanitarianism in the context of the migration-foreign policy nexus and Turkey-EU relations.M.A.2019-04-15 00:00:0