THE CURRENT LEGAL STATUS OF SYRIANS IN TURKEY AND QUESTIONING WHETHER IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THEM TO ACQUIRE TURKISH CITIZENSHIP
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Abstract
Syrians who escaped the civil war in their home country and sought asylum in Turkey have been granted ‘temporary protection’ status, which allows them to remain on humanitarian grounds until they can return to Syria. However, given that they have been living in Turkey since 2011, it is time to question whether this temporary status justifies their current situation. Over the years, their interaction with various domains of Turkish society has brought into focus their legal ability to acquire citizenship, marry, work, receive education
etc. Setting aside those who return voluntarily, what a permanent status might be for the population likely to stay in Turkey may be discussed if such a permanency is determined by the Turkish State as a policy one day. Considering such a permanent status, this study first evaluates other states’ tendencies regarding more permanent statuses. It then explains the different legal ways to acquire Turkish citizenship for Syrians, discusses whether mass acquisition of Turkish citizenship is possible if such an alternative is adopted by the Turkish state one day and considers what citizenship brings in terms of rights and responsibilities. Also, through the process of searching for a more permanent status by the Turkish State, long-term residency can be evaluated as an alternative that provides fewer rights than citizenship.
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