Constructing the Perception of Imminent Threat: How Islamophobia Legitimizes Preemptive Self-Defense, Targeted Killings, and the Erosion of Due Process

Authors : Abdullah Ahmet Buyuran

Pages : 24-40

Doi:10.17828/yalovasosbil.1618185

View : 29 | Download : 49

Publication Date : 2025-04-29

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :The terrorist attacks launched on September 11, 2001, in the U.S. have reflected the strongest shift in the representation of Muslims. “War on Terror” reinforced the social prejudice against Muslims and also shaped the applicable domestic and international living law for them. This war’s influence still goes on. The post-9/11 global landscape has also been profoundly shaped by Islamophobia, influencing both security policies and legal frameworks. This article explores the role of Islamophobia in constructing the perception of an imminent threat, particularly in justifying preemptive self-defense, targeted killings, and the erosion of legal due process. Drawing from constructivist, critical security, sociolegal, and postcolonial perspectives, it argues that Islamophobia functions as a discursive mechanism that frames Muslims as inherent threats, thereby legitimizing extraordinary security measures. The analysis highlights how this manufactured fear normalizes preemptive military actions, reinforces discriminatory domestic policies, and facilitates the manipulation of international legal principles. By linking historical and contemporary discourses, the study demonstrates how Islamophobia shapes “living law,” privileging security imperatives over legal norms. The article concludes by emphasizing the need to challenge securitized narratives and advocate for equitable policies that uphold human rights and the rule of law.
Keywords : Hukuk, İslamofobi, Yakın Tehdit, Önleyici Meşru Müdafaa, Hedefli Öldürme