Information on this precise subject could not be found among the sources consulted by the DIRB.

However, the following information may be of general interest.

According to the 1993 attachment from Refugees, Immigration and Asylum Section (RIAS) of Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade,

All Turks wishing to travel abroad must obtain the approval of the authorities. Anyone currently on trial may not obtain a passport for international travel. Police clearance is required for passport issue. It appears that payment of "facilitation fees" may often circumvent these procedures (Oct. 1993, 5).

Furthermore, Country Reports for 1995 states that

[c]itizens generally enjoy freedom of movement within Turkey and the freedom to travel abroad. The constitution provides that a citizen's freedom to leave may be restricted only by the national economic situation, civil obligations (military service, for example) or criminal investigation or prosecution. Each citizen traveling abroad (except those regularly working abroad and those traveling for the government on official business) must pay a $100 departure tax (1996, 1072).

For additional information on exit procedures at Istanbul airport, please consult Response to Information Request ZZZ20415.E of 15 May 1995, which is available at Regional Documentation Centres.

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. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References

Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 1995. 1996. United States Department of State. Washington, DC: United States Government Printing Office.

Refugees, Immigration and Asylum Section (RIAS), Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Australia. October 1993. Refugee Determination: Country Profile: Turkey. Parkes, ACT: Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Attachment

Refugees, Immigration and Asylum Section (RIAS), Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Australia. October 1993. Refugee Determination: Country Profile: Turkey. Parkes, ACT: Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, p. 5.

Additional Sources Consulted

DIRB. "Amnesty International: Turkey" country file. 1996.

DIRB. "Turkey" country file. 1996.

Freedom in the World: The Annual Survey of Political Rights and Civil Liberties: 1994-1995. 1995.

Human Rights Watch World Report 1996. 1995.

International Service Group (ISG), Citizenship and Immigration Canada, Hull. Infrequent reports. 1996.

News From Helsinki Watch [NY]. Monthly. 1994 to present.

Tolley's Immigration and Nationality Law and Practice [Surrey]. Quarterly. 1994 to present.

Travel Information Manual (TIM) [Hoofddorp]. Monthly. March 1996.

UNHCR databases.
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