Roma rights in Turkey: De- europeanization as a form of contestation

Abstract

This article examines the historical development of Roma rights in Turkey through the dual lenses of Europeanization and de-Europeanization, with a focus on normative contestation. Rather than disappearing, the norms introduced during the Europeanization phase have been selectively applied, reframed, and recontextualised within a 'national and native' policy agenda. De-Europeanization is therefore not understood as an outright rejection of European norms, but rather as their renegotiation - a process of normative contestation. To this end, a qualitative content analysis is conducted using primary documents such as EU country and progress reports, national strategies, action plans, and project findings relating to Roma rights. Particular attention is given to two key policy documents - the 2016-2021 and 2023-2030 National Roma Social Inclusion Strategies - and their respective action plans. The study traces the evolution of Turkey's national policy framework on Roma inclusion.