Paper long abstract:

In the migration process for Uyghurs, Turkey has become a terminal destination as well as a transit point for other destinations. This paper looks at the issues from an interdisciplinary social science perspective. Uyghurs are the native people in Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, China (aka. East Turkistan). In 1949, many Uyghur leaders managed to escape from communist Chinese persecution, finally settling in Turkey. Since then, the migration has continued in waves. Because of Turkey's ancestral, historical, linguistic and cultural ties, it has been the most attractive destination for Uyghurs. These days, Turkey hosts about fifty thousand Uyghur refugees and immigrants, but their situations are precarious. In pursuit of work and residence permits, they must deal with various authorities, and many live in constant insecurity, stress and fear. The social and economic integration of the Uyghurs into Turkish society reflects a problem to which policy makers have not yet found a response. Marginalized by the larger society and separated by linguistic differences, and cultural and social life styles, a significant proportion of Uyghurs, especially "newcomers" since the 1980s, are in danger of becoming part of a "parallel society." This is reinforced by exclusion, inferiorization and 'otherness', restricted educational achievements, uncertain citizenship, legal status limbo and a low socioeconomic status. Pro-Uyghur, pro-independence and anti-Chinese government mobilization in Turkey has attracted the attention of Chinese authorities, and this attention has in turn affected and shaped this mobilization. China's strategy and foreign policy in Turkey is firstly determined by its need to consolidate control of "Xinjiang" and restrain the Uyghur independence movement in Turkey. Next in importance is China's trade and economic investments in Turkey, especially its 'One Belt, One Road' initiatives. These are not just increasing its influence; they are making Turkey far more reticent to speak out about Beijing's abuses and oppression in "Xinjiang'. China's geoeconomic strategy has resulted in political influence in Turkey that profoundly affects its Uyghur population. A research project, 2013-2016, and February, 2019 involving interviews with 200 Uyghurs immigrants asking about identity, struggles and dilemmas is the basis for this paper. Qualitative analysis reveals the differing historical and contemporary pathways of Uyghur migration to Turkey. This analytical perspective shows the nature of Uyghur migration to Turkey in shaping the Turkish national project and how these perspectives have been shaped by recent periods of neoliberalism, authoritarianism and globalization.