Turkey is seeking to toughen citizenship rules and introduce “general morality” as a condition for foreigners applying to become citizens, according to a copy of a draft bill obtained by AFP on Tuesday.
The new condition is part of a controversial new homeland security reform bill set to be discussed in Parliament on Tuesday that tightens the requirements to gain citizenship through marriage.
The Government has already sent the bill to the 550-seat Parliament, which is dominated by ruling party lawmakers who are expected to rubber stamp the legislation. The text of the bill has yet to specify how good “general morality” will be assessed by officials processing citizenship applications. In the past, citizenship has been granted to individuals who qualify to become Turks and do not pose a threat to national security or public safety. These conditions remain intact in the bill.
Turkey’s ruling Islamic-rooted Justice and Development Party has repeatedly made clear it is concerned over purported moral decay in the overwhelmingly Muslim but traditional secular country.