World Bulletin / News Desk

While the bill on Foreigners and International Protection is currently being negotiated by the parliamentary Human Rights Investigation Commission, the head of the commission said he expects the bill will be passed by Parliament before the legislation body breaks for summer.

Noting that Turkey is a transition country, Ayhan Sefer Üstün, head of the commission, said in Parliament that the new bill has been prepared for the better handling of the migration process. Turkey has become a destination for international migration since being recognized for its significant successes in democracy and the economy.

Turkey has also been deeply affected by soaring numbers of international migrants getting stuck here when they had intended to move on to another country.

Facing many practical and legal problems, Turkey has become a target of harsh criticism regarding the rights of its migrants.

“We can turn the [migration] process into an opportunity if we better handle the process. For that purpose, we need an effective law to address that. Otherwise, if we can't handle the process successfully, many problems may emerge between Turkey and our friends and relatives [from other countries].” Üstün said. He added that the government wants to pass the bill in Parliament before its summer recess.

Murat Koca, deputy undersecretary of the Interior Ministry, briefed the commission and underlined that international migration can directly influence the public order in Turkey, which is a country in transition. The bill was designed in accordance with the EU negotiations process, Koca noted.

Current legislation regarding the protection of the rights of foreigners who come to Turkey for a period of time as well as those of immigrants is outdated and does not meet the needs of the day.

The bill, if passed, will establish the General Directorate of the Department of Migration. When the bill becomes law, new migration strategies may be developed for the short and long term, Koca said, adding that a new system will be formed that is based on trust and consistency, reducing the bureaucratic procedures for “in and outs, to and from” Turkey.

An important gap in human rights will be filled by the bill, Koca asserted.