Turkish Interior Ministry apologizes for threatening Uyghur Protestors with deportation to China

Turkey’s Interior Minister apologizes for security guards’ threats against Uyghur protestors in Istanbul and pledges long-term residency and citizenship support following public outcry over the mistreatment of Uyghurs by Turkish police.

Aminw Sedef and Abliz Iminniyaz

Translated from Uyghur Times Uyghur Edition

Nov 30, 2025

On November 30, hundreds of Uyghurs protested in front of the Chinese Consulate in Istanbul, commemorating those killed in the Urumqi fire on November 24. The police mistreated and insulted the protestors. In the live video, a Turkish security officer said: “Go back, or we will sweep you out of here, arrest and deport you!” It annoyed the Uyghur diaspora and Turkish people as well.

Many Turks took to Twitter to condemn the Turkish state’s treatment of Uyghurs and the rudeness of its civil servants. The Turkish Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu, who was informed of the situation, issued an apology on his Twitter account for the extremely rude behavior of the security guards. He said that Turkey is establishing a long-term residence and citizenship framework for Uyghurs and will continue to do so. 

“We are saddened by the exchange of words after our Uyghur brothers had gone to the Chinese Consulate in Istanbul to protest. We express our regret and apology, and we would like to express that the investigation has begun”, Soylu tweeted.

The full statement by the Ministry reads:

We are saddened by the argument that occurred today between our Uyghur Turk brothers—who went to the front of the Chinese Consulate in Istanbul to protest and subsequently closed the road—and our colleague responsible for ensuring the security of the area.

Of course, it is our duty and responsibility to ensure the security of every country’s embassy. The meticulousness of our colleagues is for this reason.

However, certain expressions used while providing security exceeded their intended purpose. In such a sensitive duty, we should not use expressions of this nature. We show sensitivity, and we are obliged to show it, toward our brothers of Turkic descent through special offices established in our population and citizenship units, covering everything from long-term residence to citizenship.

On this occasion, we express our sadness and apologies once again, and we wish to state that an investigation regarding the matter has been launched.

We are saddened by the argument that occurred today between our Uyghur Turk brothers—who went to the front of the Chinese Consulate in Istanbul to protest and subsequently closed the road—and our colleague responsible for ensuring the security of the area.

Of course, it is our duty and responsibility to ensure the security of every country’s embassy. The meticulousness of our colleagues is for this reason.

However, certain expressions used while providing security exceeded their intended purpose. In such a sensitive duty, we should not use expressions of this nature. We show sensitivity, and we are obliged to show it, toward our brothers of Turkic descent through special offices established in our population and citizenship units, covering everything from long-term residence to citizenship.

On this occasion, we express our sadness and apologies once again, and we wish to state that an investigation regarding the matter has been launched.

SÜLEYMAN SOYLU REPUBLIC OF TURKEY MINISTER OF INTERIOR”