According to a representative of the legal unit at the UNHCR in Ankara, the main function of the UNHCR office in Ankara is to determine the refugee status of individuals seeking asylum in Turkey (24 Feb. 1994). The source stated that the Ankara operation has approximately 40 employees, and is open from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm five days a week. The office is closed between 12:30 pm and 1:00 pm (ibid.).

The source stated that refugee claimants are registered immediately upon contacting the office, and that claimants are normally granted a first interview within three to four weeks (ibid.). The source stated that the waiting time for an interview will vary according to the number of claimants contacting the office within a given period (ibid.). The source added that the UNHCR in Ankara attempts to register claimants and hold the first and second interviews within three months (ibid.).

Additional and/or corroborative information on the requested subject could not be found among the sources currently available to the DIRB in Ottawa.

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.

UNHCR, legal unit, Ankara. 24 February 1994. Telephone interview with representative.