Turkey: Information on possible restrictions on Kurds or Alevis obtaining passports
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 February 1994 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | TUR16597.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Turkey: Information on possible restrictions on Kurds or Alevis obtaining passports, 1 February 1994, TUR16597.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6ab6d88.html [accessed 17 September 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
An advisor at the Kurdish Centre in London stated that for ethnic and particularly for political reasons, it is very difficult for Kurds and Alevis to obtain passports (17 Feb. 1994). The advisor stated that if a Kurd is involved in political activities in Kurdistan (eastern Turkey), obtaining a passport would be even more difficult, and without privileged contacts with the responsible authorities, virtually impossible (ibid).
A representative of Info-Turk in Brussels indicated that in theory everyone can obtain a passport in Turkey, however difficulties may arise for those involved in political activities opposed to the government (21 Feb. 1994). The representative indicated that in such cases the authorities may invoke national security reasons to deny a passport application (ibid.). This source further indicated that any difficulties encountered are usually not associated with political affiliation, not to questions of religion or ethnicity (ibid.).
An analyst with the Minority Rights Group in London could not provide specific information on restrictions or difficulties Kurds or Alevis might encounter by Kurds and Alevis in obtaining passports (21 Feb. 1994). Nevertheless, the analyst indicated that the information provided by the Kurdish Centre corresponds to the general situation of discrimination against Kurds and Alevis in Turkey (ibid.).
Country Reports 1992 states that Turkish citizens generally enjoy freedom to travel abroad, and that the constitution authorizes restrictions only for reasons related to the national economic situation, civic obligations or criminal investigation or prosecution (1993, 940-41).
For information on Alevis, please consult the attached documents.
This response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.
References
Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 1992. 1993. United States Department of State. Washington, DC: United States Government Printing Office.
Info-Turk, Brussels. 21 February 1994. Telephone interview with head of publications.
Kurdish Centre, London. 17 February 1994. Telephone interview with advisor.
Minority Rights Group, London. 21 February 1994. Telephone interview with analyst on Turkey.
Attachments
van Bruinessen, Martin. 1992. Agha, Shaikh and State: The Social and political Structures of Kurdistan. London: Zed Books Ltd.
Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 1992. 1993. United States Department of State. Washington, DC: United States Government Printing Office.
Gunter, Michael M. 1990. The Kurds in Turkey: A Political Dilemma. Boulder, Co.: Westview Press.