URGENT ACTION

ASYLUM SEEKER’S PROTECTION STATUS RESTORED
Syrian asylum seeker Ahmad Aabo, who has lived in Türkiye since 2012, had his temporary protection status revoked in 2023 after being diagnosed with HIV and assigned a security code on grounds that ‘he carries a communicable disease’. On 26 August 2025, Istanbul Migration Management Directorate restored Ahmad Aabo’s temporary protection status, ending his ordeal after two years. As a result of this, his access to free healthcare was also restored after his social security was reactivated.

NO FURTHER ACTION IS REQUESTED. MANY THANKS TO ALL WHO SENT APPEALS.

Syrian asylum seeker Ahmad Aabo, who has lived in Türkiye since 2012, had his temporary protection status revoked in 2023 after being diagnosed with HIV and assigned a security code on grounds that “he carries a communicable disease”.

In 2024, Ahmad Aabo was detained in two separate deportation centres in Istanbul and Adana for six months and faced the threat of being returned to Syria. He reported cruel, inhumane or degrading treatment while in detention. In October 2024, he was released from detention after the removal of the security code and lifting of the deportation order, but his temporary protection status was not restored. After his release, he lived in constant fear of being detained again. In May 2025, he was again detained and placed at the Arnavutköy deportation centre for three days after a random police ID check in the street. 

Following the Amnesty International’s urgent action published on 4 August 2025, Ahmad Aabo was invited to the office of the Istanbul Migration Management Directorate on 26 August, where his temporary protection status was restored and an ID card was issued for him. As a result of this, his access to free healthcare was also restored after the social security was reactivated. After almost two years of living in uncertainty, the positive impact of the urgent action on the Presidency of Migration Management is very clear. 

Speaking to Amnesty International, Ahmad Aabo said: 

“The urgent action appeal helped me breathe again. I want to send my sincere gratitude to everyone. Simply because of my HIV+ status, I endured persecution, I was detained. I feared being detained every time I saw a police officer. I have my ID card again, I regained my rights. This is the impact of the urgent action. Thanking you is not enough. I wish that no one goes through what I have been through. HIV is not an illness. People living with HIV should be supported. They should not endure torture. I thank all those who signed appeals for me, all those who stood by me from the bottom of my heart.”

NAME AND PRONOUN: Name Ahmad Aabo (He/him)

THIS IS THE SECOND AND FINAL OUTPUT FOR UA 76/25

LINK TO PREVIOUS UA: https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/eur44/0166/2025/en/