Naturalization Policies: Turkish Party Legally Challenges Syrian Naturalization
This development highlights the growing conflict between economic considerations and security and demographic concerns in Turkey, which may affect the future of refugees and foreign investors
October 5, 2024, 11:46 pm

Naturalization Policies: Turkish Party Legally Challenges Syrian Naturalization

The leader of the nationalist "Good Party" in Turkey, Meral Akşener, announced that her party has initiated legal proceedings at the Supreme Administrative Court to invalidate Turkish citizenship granted to Syrian refugees and foreign investors.

Akşener stated in a press conference in front of the Supreme Administrative Court in Ankara on Tuesday that "all citizenships granted by the President (Recep Tayyip Erdoğan) through exceptional mechanisms are unconstitutional and lack any legal basis."

She added, "All citizenships granted in exchange for foreign currencies and property purchases violate the law," indicating that these reasons motivated her party "to file a lawsuit to cancel all citizenships granted for money, to preserve the dignity and status of Turkish citizenship."

The opposition right-wing party leader considered that "the Turkish national identity and the Republic of Turkey face an existential threat," according to her expression.

During her speech, she emphasized that "all granted citizenships are null and void by law," directing a question to the Turkish Interior Minister: "Based on which law did you grant citizenship to 238,000 Syrian refugees?"

About 3 million Syrian refugees live in Turkey under temporary protection status "Kimlik," according to the latest statistics from the Turkish Interior Ministry, published in response to claims by opposition politicians and anti-refugee figures about the presence of more than twice the officially declared number.

Last August, the General Directorate of Population and Citizenship Affairs of Turkey revealed that the number of Syrians who were under temporary protection and obtained Turkish citizenship reached 238,768, including 134,624 adults and 104,144 children.

From time to time, Syrians residing in Turkey under "temporary protection" are subjected to anti-presence campaigns that include various claims about their numbers and the services they receive in government institutions and universities, in addition to inflating the numbers of those who have obtained citizenship.

Earlier this year, the General Directorate of Population and Citizenship Affairs of Turkey issued a statement to refute claims about granting citizenship to more than two million Syrians in Turkey, affirming that such claims "do not reflect reality, but aim to mislead public opinion."

The move by the "Good Party" raises questions about the circumstances and reasons that might lead Turkish authorities to revoke citizenship, and whether it is possible to cancel the decision to grant citizenship, whether exceptional or through investment, after obtaining it.

Levant - Agencies

Russian Leadership Informs Syrian Government of Its Intention Not to Intervene in Any New Conflict As October 7 Anniversary Approaches.. Israel Prepares to Respond to Iran

BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the company’s headquarters in the Seef District.
During the meeting, shareholders approved all items listed on the agenda, including the ratification of the minutes of the previous AGM held on 26 March 2024. The session reviewed and approved the Board’s Annual Report on the company’s activities and financial performance for the fiscal year ended 31 December 2024, and the shareholders expressed their satisfaction with the company’s operational and financial results during the reporting period.
The meeting also reviewed the Independent External Auditor’s Report on the company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024. Subsequently, the shareholders approved the audited financial statements for the fiscal year. Based on the Board’s recommendation, the shareholders approved the distribution of a cash dividend equivalent to 10% of the paid-up share capital.
Furthermore, the shareholders endorsed the allocation of a total amount of BD 172,500 as remuneration to the members of the Board for the year ended 31 December 2024, subject to prior clearance by related authorities.
The extension of the current composition of the Board was approved, which includes ten members and one CBB observer, for a further six-month term, expiring in September 2025, pending no objection from the CBB.
The meeting reviewed and approved the Corporate Governance Report for 2024, which affirmed the company’s full compliance with the corporate governance directives issued by the CBB and other applicable regulatory frameworks. The AGM absolved the Board Members of liability for any of their actions during the year ending on 31st December 2024, in accordance with the Commercial Companies Law.
In alignment with regulatory requirements, the session approved the reappointment of Ernst & Young (EY) as the company’s External Auditors for the fiscal year 2025, covering both the parent company and its subsidiaries—Sinnad and Bahrain FinTech Bay. The Board was authorised to determine the external auditors’ professional fees, subject to approval from the CBB, and the meeting concluded with a discussion of any additional issues as per Article (207) of the Commercial Companies Law.
Speaking on the company’s performance, Mr. Mohamed Al Bastaki, Chairman BENEFIT , stated: “In terms of the financial results for 2024, I am pleased to say that the year gone by has also been proved to be a success in delivering tangible results. Growth rate for 2024 was 19 per cent. Revenue for the year was BD 17 M (US$ 45.3 Million) and net profit was 2 Million ($ 5.3 Million).

Mr. Al Bastaki also announced that the Board had formally adopted a new three-year strategic roadmap to commence in 2025. The strategy encompasses a phased international expansion, optimisation of internal operations, enhanced revenue diversification, long-term sustainability initiatives, and the advancement of innovation and digital transformation initiatives across all service lines.
“I extend my sincere appreciation to the CBB for its continued support of BENEFIT and its pivotal role in fostering a stable and progressive regulatory environment for the Kingdom’s banking and financial sector—an environment that has significantly reinforced Bahrain’s standing as a leading financial hub in the region,” said Mr. Al Bastaki. “I would also like to thank our partner banks and valued customers for their trust, and our shareholders for their ongoing encouragement. The achievements of 2024 set a strong precedent, and I am confident they will serve as a foundation for yet another successful and impactful year ahead.”
Chief Executive of BENEFIT; Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi commented, “The year 2024 represented another pivotal chapter in BENEFIT ’s evolution. We achieved substantial progress in advancing our digital strategy across multiple sectors, while reinforcing our long-term commitment to the development of Bahrain’s financial services and payments landscape. Throughout the year, we remained firmly aligned with our objective of delivering measurable value to our shareholders, strategic partners, and customers. At the same time, we continued to play an active role in enabling Bahrain’s digital economy by introducing innovative solutions and service enhancements that directly address market needs and future opportunities.”
Mr. AlJanahi affirmed that BENEFIT has successfully developed a robust and well-integrated payment network that connects individuals and businesses across Bahrain, accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies in the banking and financial services sector and reinforcing Bahrain’s position as a growing fintech hub, and added, “Our achievements of the past year reflect a long-term vision to establish a resilient electronic payment infrastructure that supports the Kingdom’s digital economy. Key developments in 2024 included the implementation of central authentication for open banking via BENEFIT Pay”
Mr. AlJanahi concluded by thanking the Board for its strategic direction, the company’s staff for their continued dedication, and the Central Bank of Bahrain, member banks, and shareholders for their valuable partnership and confidence in the company’s long-term vision.