Turkey’s draft Law on Foreigners and International Protection

Reply to Written question | Doc. 13285 | 16 July 2013

Author(s):

Committee of Ministers

Origin

Adopted at the 1176th meeting of the Ministers’ Deputies (10 July 2013). 2013 - Fourth part-session

Reply to Written question

: Written question no. 634 (Doc. 13195)

1. The Committee of Ministers informs the Honourable Parliamentarian that during the discussion on this question, the Turkish delegation informed the Committee that the “Law on Foreigners and International Protection” entered into force on 11 April 2013. It provides a legal and concrete basis for the management of asylum seekers and migrants with a view to ensuring compliance and conservation of the rights of foreigners, migrants and refugees.

2. The Turkish delegation pointed out that the law incorporates key elements of international humanitarian and human rights law and also provides, among others, for the establishment, under the Ministry of the Interior, of a specialised institution to manage international protection on the basis of respect for the fundamental rights and needs of the applicants. The law introduces a clear and efficient system for the visa procedure, work and residence permits which should lead to fewer bureaucratic hurdles and positively contribute to the fight against irregular migration in Turkey. The International Organisation for Migration and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees were involved and the Council of Europe standards were taken into account in the preparation of the law. Regulations for the implementation of the law will be prepared over the next year, in full respect of Council of Europe standards and guidelines.

3. Finally, the Turkish delegation recalled that due to its location on the transit route of illegal migration, and becoming a target country especially in recent years, it is familiar with the concept of protection of irregular migrants and has accumulated considerable expertise and experience. It also referred to the initiation of fruitful co‑operation between the Turkish Ministry of the Interior and the Council of Europe migration division, following the visit of a high-level Turkish delegation responsible for migration issues in September 2012.

4. The Committee of Ministers welcomes the commitment of the Turkish authorities to implementing the new law and the information provided thereon. It recalls the tools available within the Council of Europe which may be of assistance to Turkey, if considered appropriate, in pursuing these efforts, including in the field of training as mentioned by the Honourable Parliamentarian.