Country of origin information report Turkey March 2007

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26.06 The Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada reported in July 2003 that:
“Turkish citizens wishing to enter or exit Turkey are also required to have valid and appropriate travel documents. In the absence of such documents, airport and land border authorities will request that the individual present other documentation to assist in proving their Turkish citizenship, for example a drivers license, school records, birth registration card etc. However, since Turkish citizens are required to report their lost or stolen passports to the nearest Turkish embassy while abroad, Turkish border authorities must ask why the citizen does not have the appropriate travel documents. In addition to the inquiry, any information and all documents provided to the authorities by the individual are verified with the Turkish Ministry of Internal Affairs.” [7d] (p1-2)
Freedom of movement for workers
26.07 The European Commission 2006 report stated that, “There are no developments on access to labour market. Several laws, as well as the role of professional organisations, contain restrictions on the free movement of foreign workers. Modernisation of the Public Employment Services continued. Staff training for future participation in the EURES (European Employment Services) network requires attention.” [71a] (p33)
26.08 The EC 2006 further added that:
“As regards co-ordination of social security systems, the new social security reform laws contain elements regulating the conditions of work and social security rights of foreign nationals. Foreign nationals residing in Turkey for more than a year will be covered under the Universal Health Insurance Law. Limited progress has been achieved on this chapter. Progress was mainly realised in the area of co-ordination of social security systems. Alignment is at an early stage. The administrative capacity needs to be strengthened.” [71a] (p34
Nüfüs card/identity card
26.09 The Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs 2002 reported that:
“Each district has a population registry, also known as the population office, ultimately coming under the Ministry of the Interior, where all the district’s inhabitants are supposed to be registered. In practice, many people are entered in the population register for their place of birth or even their parents’ place of birth. Since 28 October 2000 each citizen has had his/her own single, nationally registered, unalterable eleven-digit identity number. Population registers do not include details of addresses. Limited records of addresses are kept by neighbourhood heads.” [2a] (p19)
26.10 The Netherlands report continued “The population registry also has responsibility for issue of identity cards (in Turkish: nüfus cüzdani) often referred to in other languages too as nüfus cards. The nüfus card is the only valid domestic identity document, and everyone is required to carry it at all times. Births have to be registered to the population registry for the place of birth without delay, so that a nüfus card can be issued straight away.” [2a] (p19)
26.11 The USSD 2005 report stated that:
“Religious affiliation is listed on national identity cards. Some religious groups, such as the Baha’i, are unable to state their religion on their cards because their religion is not included among the options; they have made their concerns known to the government. There were reports that local officials harassed some persons who converted from Islam to another religion when they sought to amend their cards. Some non Muslims maintained that listing religious affiliation on the cards exposes them to discrimination and harassment.” [5b] (Section 2c)
26.12 As outlined by the Council of Europe European Commission against Racism and Intolerance in its ‘Third report on Turkey’ – adopted on 25 June 2004 and made public on 15 February 2005 – “There is still room for improvement in the matter of religious freedom, in particular as regards removing the reference to religion on identity cards and abolishing compulsory religious education in schools.” [76] (p6)
26.13 As confirmed by the British Embassy in Ankara on 22 July 2005:
“Under Turkish law citizens are obliged to produce an official ID card if requested by police or jandarma. If you cannot produce identification when required, or refuse to do so, you can be held in detention until your identity is proved. The maximum standard detention period in Turkey is 24 hours, extendable for a further 12 hours to allow time for transfer between custody and the nearest court. (Suspects can be held up to 48 hours for organised crime offences, illegal drug production/sale, and certain crimes against the State). Under the Law on Misdemeanours those who refuse to give ID information, or who give false information, to civil servants conducting their duty are liable to a small administrative fine.” [4e]