“WHEN TO RETURN HOME” UNDER INTERNATIONAL LAW

Year 2025, Volume: 22 Issue: 2, 607 - 632, 26.06.2025

Ebru Demir

https://doi.org/10.63117/yuhfd.1727970

Abstract

This article examines the challenges of refugee repatriation in post-conflict settings and essentially focuses on the principle of non-refoulement. While the end of armed conflict is often expected to facilitate refugee return, legal frameworks—including refugee law, international humanitarian law (IHL), and international human rights law (IHRL)—offer differing interpretations of when and how repatriation should occur. Through case studies of Burundi and Bosnia and Herzegovina, the article highlights the complexities of voluntary return, state legitimacy, and peacebuilding efforts. The examined cases show the need for a rights-based approach in order to ensure safe and sustainable refugee return. Using IHRL and refugee law, the study argues that repatriation should be voluntary and accompanied by legal protections. The article underscores the need for rights-based repatriation policies to ensure sustainable peace and stability for both sending and home countries.

Keywords

non-refoulement principle , refugees , repatriation , International Humanitarian Law , International Human Rights Law , International Refugee Law

ULUSLARARASI HUKUKA GÖRE “EVE NE ZAMAN DÖNMELİ?

Abstract

Eldeki çalışma, silahlı çatışmaların sona ermesinin ardından mültecilerin geri dönüşüne ilişkin zorlukları ele almakta ve özellikle geri göndermeme ilkesini (non-refoulement principle) incelemektedir. Her ne kadar silahlı çatışmaların sona ermesi ile birlikte mültecilerin geri döneceğine dair bir beklenti doğsa da, uluslararası mülteci hukuku, uluslararası insancıl hukuk ve insan hakları hukuku bu geri dönüşün nasıl ve ne zaman gerçekleşmesi gerektiğine ilişkin farklı yasal çerçeveler ortaya koymaktadır. Çalışma, Burundi ve Bosna-Hersek örnekleri üzerinden, gönüllü geri dönüş, devlet meşruiyeti ve barış inşa süreci kavramlarını ele almaktadır. İncelenen Burundi ve Bosna-Hersek örnekleri, mültecilerin güvenli ve sürdürülebilir bir şekilde geri dönüşü için hak temelli bir yaklaşımın ehemmiyetine işaret etmektedir. Uluslararası insan hakları hukuku ve mülteci hukuku, mültecilerin geri dönüşünün gönüllü ve yasal bir koruma çerçevesinde olması gerektiğini ortaya koymaktadır. Çalışma genel olarak hak temelli bir dönüşün sağlanmasının hem gönderen hem de ev sahibi devlet için uzun vadeli barış ve istikrar anlamına geleceğini öne sürmektedir.

Keywords

geri göndermeme ilkesi , mülteciler geri gönderme , uluslararası insancıl hukuk , insan hakları hukuku , uluslararası mülteci hukuku

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