Permanent resettlement of UNHCR refugees from Turkey

Reply to Written question | Doc. 13286 | 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. 635 (Doc. 13196)

1. During the discussion on this written question, the Turkish delegation signalled that it refers largely to the previous law and not the newly introduced “Law on Foreigners and International Protection” which entered into force on 11 April 2013.

2. The delegation, while confirming that the new law maintains a geographical limitation on the 1951 Geneva Convention, highlighted that geographical limitation is not implemented in a way to restrain the fundamental rights and freedoms of non-European individuals seeking international protection nor does it deprive individuals of their already acquired international protection status. In particular, following the adoption of the new law, individuals seeking international protection and international protection status holders were granted the right to access to education, medical care and labour market regardless of their country of origin. They are treated as general health insurance holders, and thus their right to access to health services is guaranteed.

3. Finally, the Turkish delegation underlined that 192,970 Syrians are currently accommodated in shelters under the temporary protection of its authorities and that the number of applications for international protection has increased over the past two years. This is a clear demonstration of the magnitude of the burden Turkey is carrying of which, like the Honourable Parliamentarian, the Committee of Ministers is acutely aware. The issue of burden-sharing mechanisms and increasing the number of resettlements from Turkey to other European countries is a question that is frequently raised in relevant international fora and needs to be pursued.