Contribution short abstract:

This chapter presents an analysis of the lived realities of Syrian and Afghan individuals in Turkey, shifting focus to the organisational level by examining the interpretations within Syrian and Afghan associations.

Contribution long abstract:

Adopting the term "Association" in line with the Turkish Civil Code, the analysis explores how themes of identity, reality, and concealment manifest in these associations' experiences. It critiques the homogenising impact of labels such as "refugee" and "refugee-led organisations" (RLOs), which obscure the associations' internal diversity, members' distinct immigration statuses, and the constraints imposed by the Turkish legal framework.

Using feminist and counter-narrative approaches, the chapter reveals how these associations resist imposed labels, challenge dominant discourses, and navigate structural inequalities within a restrictive environment. Members’ stories highlight tensions between their quest for autonomy and the symbolic annihilation stemming from legal and social frameworks. Through vivid metaphors like “living on a ventilator” and “release the cat,” members express the yearning for self-determination amid constraints.

This chapter underscores the need to move beyond monolithic portrayals of displaced associations, advocating for a nuanced understanding of their complex identities and broader power dynamics. By problematising existing labels, it calls for a contextual approach that recognises their unique behaviours, integration processes, and contributions, while amplifying counter-narratives that challenge the invisibility of their lived realities.