Proposed bill challenges Turkish citizenship for foreign spouses

On Nov. 24, the Justice and Development Party (AKP) submitted an omnibus bill to the Turkish parliament referred to as the “Domestic Security Package.” It was labeled in newspapers as the “Super Omnibus Bill,” since it introduced changes in 19 different areas. Many news media outlets focused on a section that introduced changes for the naturalization of foreign spouses.

The headline from Diken news outlet was “Ivan Watson’s Turkish Citizenship No Longer Possible! A Morality Clause Being Introduced for Foreign Spouses.” Although Watson, CNN’s Istanbul correspondent, has not applied to acquire Turkish citizenship, news outlets referred to him to make the point that for any foreigner arrested, naturalization could be impossible. The proposed omnibus bill — which is likely to be passed with few or no amendments, given the track record of the AKP administration — has initiated a public debate about what should be the criteria to acquire Turkish citizenship.

Turkish citizenship is viewed as a right through bloodline. Anyone with a Turkish parent is automatically eligible to be a Turkish citizen. Also, children who are born in Turkey, if stateless, are given Turkish citizenship. Citizenship could also be acquired through other means if one met certain criteria. Until 2003, foreign brides were automatically eligible for Turkish citizenship and the process was rather smooth. In 2003, the law was changed: “Marriage with a Turkish national does not automatically transfer citizenship.” The foreign spouse was required to reside in Turkey at least three years after the day of the marriage to be eligible.

The November omnibus bill stipulates that the foreign spouse should “not be a threat to national security, public order and social mores.” The requirement that the foreign spouse confirm with the rules of public morality is seen as vague and open to interpretation as pundits fear it may lead to arbitrary application.