Coordinator of the Syrian-Turkish Joint Committee Ahmed Bakkoura and an accompanying delegation met with Harun Başibüyük, Head of the International Protection Department of the Directorate General of Migration Management in Ankara to discuss the latest decisions related to Syrian nationals in Turkey, especially the humanitarian residence permit.
Başibüyük said that humanitarian residence permit will be granted to those who have an expired passport and who already have a touristic residence permit.
Bakkoura submitted a proposal to the Turkish official to grant humanitarian residence permit to persons who are active in Turkey, such as journalists, workers in NGOs, and businessmen so that they can move freely in Turkey and travel abroad.
Bakkoura talked about the importance of facilitating the issuance of travel permits to the elderly. With regards to the family reunification, the Turkish officials promised they would consider facilitating the reunification process for special humanitarian cases.
Withy regard to Syrian refugees whose temporary protection ID cards were suspended in Edirne province, the Turkish officials said that they have already begun addressing the issue.
The two sides also discussed the issue of correcting the information in the temporary protection ID cards. The Turkish officials indicated that if the error does not exceed three letters in the name it will be corrected immediately upon request, otherwise it will require a court decision.
As for unattended Syrian children who not have temporary protection ID cards, the two sides acknowledged the need to address this issue and ensure that all children attend school.
The two sides also discussed the issue of the outsize temporary protection ID card, with the Turkish officials promising that they would consider replacing them with smaller ones for more ease of use. (Source: SOC’s Media Department)