UN Decision: The Arrest of Syrian Refugee Adil Sibih Violates International Law

UN Decision: The Arrest of Syrian Refugee Adil Sibih Violates International Law In a case brought to the United Nations by international law expert Kurtuluş Baştimar, the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (WGAD) ruled that Sibih’s detention was “arbitrary” and called on Turkey to release and compensate him.

The WGAD, a body affiliated with the UN Human Rights Council, issued decision 12/2025 in April 2025, determining that the arrest and detention of Syrian refugee Adil Sibih under administrative custody in Turkey violated international law.

Sibih, born in 2000, was a Syrian refugee living in Kayseri under temporary protection status. On September 19, 2024, he was taken into custody during a raid on his home, without being shown an arrest or search warrant. He was interrogated on charges of terrorism membership and gave statements without access to legal counsel. Later, a deportation order was issued against him, and he was placed in administrative detention at Kayseri’s Return Center.

UN Findings: Detention Arbitrary, No Evidence, Rights Violated The WGAD determined that Sibih’s detention was arbitrary under four categories:

• Category I: Arrest without legal justification.

• Category II: Punishment for exercising freedom of expression and belief.

• Category IV: Detention as a refugee without effective legal oversight.

• Category V: Discrimination based on national identity and religious views.

His detention was particularly criticized for being linked to his participation in a WhatsApp group where religious discussions took place. The UN ruling stated, “The group was intended for religious conversation, with no evidence of violence or terrorism, making the accusations of terrorist propaganda unacceptable.”

Call for Release and Compensation WGAD urged Turkey to immediately release Sibih and provide compensation for the violations he suffered. It also called for an independent and impartial investigation into the authorities involved in his detention.

Kurtuluş Baştimar: ‘This Ruling is a Precedent for Refugee Rights’ Speaking to Channel 24, international law expert Kurtuluş Baştimar emphasized, “This decision is not only significant for Adil Sibih but also for protecting the rights of all refugees in Turkey. Turkey must act in accordance with its international obligations and take this ruling into account.”

The UN has requested that the Turkish government submit a report within six months detailing the steps taken to implement the decision.