Turkey Plans to Register Foreigners’ Biometric Data

Turkey is planning to implement a new border security measure that involves taking fingerprints from foreigners entering the country. The plan was announced by Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya in an interview with the pro-government newspaper Sabah.

The project, which is currently in development, would require visitors to provide fingerprints upon entry. While the minister did not specify an exact timeline for implementation, he indicated that the initiative is actively being worked on.

In addition to the fingerprinting plan, Yerlikaya mentioned that Turkey will be issuing new ID cards with biometric chips for individuals granted temporary protection status in the country. This measure will primarily affect Syrian citizens living in Turkey. The minister said that the new documents would be impossible to falsify and that production has already begun.

According to official data from the Turkish Ministry of the Interior, there are currently 4.4 million foreigners in Turkey, with 3.1 million of them being Syrian citizens. However, unofficial estimates suggest that the actual number of foreigners in the country, particularly migrants from the Middle East, may be significantly higher.

The plans are taking shape as the neighboring European Union prepares to implement a comprehensive, biometric Entry/Exit system to secure its Schengen free travel zone. Turkey is not a member of the European Union. While it has been a candidate for EU membership since 1999 and began formal accession negotiations in 2005, the process has been lengthy and complicated.

The country’s bid for EU membership has faced numerous challenges, including concerns over human rights, democratic processes, and political issues. Geographic considerations, with only a small part of Turkey lying in Europe, have also played a role in the discussions.

Source: Fakti.bg

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August 15, 2024 – by Ali Nassar-Smith