THE BOUNDARIES OF DISCRIMINATION IN CITIZENSHIP REVOCATION: LEGAL AND ETHICAL DILEMMAS FOR NATURALISED IMMIGRANTS

Year 2025, Volume: 3 Issue: 1, 99 - 132, 30.06.2025

Vebi Levni

https://doi.org/10.69800/blr.1631019

Abstract

In recent years, hundreds of individuals have been stripped of their citizenship under the guise of safeguarding national security. As the threat of terrorism looms large, Western governments have increasingly resorted to this drastic measure as part of their counter-terrorism strategies, prompting debates about its compatibility with international law and its implications for fundamental human rights. Despite extensive discussions, significant uncertainty persists about whether citizenship revocation complies with international legal standards, including States erga omnes obligations. This article argues that while States have a legitimate interest in national security, such measures often risk contravening human rights and eroding international legal norms. Particular attention is given to the precarious position of naturalised immigrants, who are disproportionately targeted and often lack the same legal protections as birthright citizens, rendering them especially vulnerable to rights violations. Drawing on international legal instruments, case law, and scholarly perspectives, this article critically examines citizenship revocation’s legal and ethical dimensions and evaluates its alignment with international human rights obligations.

Keywords

international human rights, sovereignty, citizenship revocation, discrimination, naturalised immigrants

VATANDAŞLIĞIN KAYBETTİRİLMESİNDE AYRIMCILIĞIN SINIRLARI: VATANDAŞLIĞA KABUL EDİLMİŞ GÖÇMENLER İÇİN HUKUKİ VE ETİK İKİLEMLER

Abstract

Son yıllarda, yüzlerce kişi ulusal güvenliği koruma bahanesiyle vatandaşlıklarından mahrum bırakılmıştır. Terör tehdidinin giderek büyümesiyle birlikte, batılı hükümetler bu radikal önlemi terörle mücadele stratejilerinin bir parçası olarak daha sık kullanmaya başlamış ve bunun uluslararası hukukla uyumluluğu ile temel insan hakları üzerindeki etkileri konusunda tartışmalar doğmuştur. Geniş çaplı tartışmalara rağmen, vatandaşlık iptali uygulamasının, devletlerin erga omnes yükümlülükleri de dahil olmak üzere, uluslararası hukuk standartlarına uygun olup olmadığına dair önemli bir belirsizlik devam etmektedir. Bu makale, devletlerin ulusal güvenliği sağlama konusundaki meşru çıkarlarını kabul etmekle birlikte, bu tür önlemlerin çoğu zaman insan haklarını ihlal etme ve uluslararası hukuk normlarını aşındırma riski taşıdığına dikkat çekmektedir. Özellikle, doğumla vatandaşlık kazanmış kişilere kıyasla daha sınırlı hukuki korumalara sahip olan ve orantısız biçimde hedef alınan, vatandaşlığa kabul edilmiş göçmenlerin kırılgan konumuna özel bir vurgu yapılmaktadır. Uluslararası hukuk metinleri, içtihatlar ve akademik yaklaşımlardan yararlanılarak hazırlanan bu makale, vatandaşlığın kaybettirilmesinin hukuki ve etik boyutlarını eleştirel bir bakışla incelemekte ve bu uygulamanın uluslararası insan hakları yükümlülükleriyle ne ölçüde bağdaştığını değerlendirmektedir.

Keywords

uluslararası insan hakları, egemenlik, vatandaşlığın kaybettirilmesi, ayrımcılık, vatandaşlığa kabul edilmiş göçmenler

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