A unified procedure for the acceptance and consideration of applications for refugee status, protection, or asylum in our country is planned to be introduced into the legislation on forced migration. This was stated by the representative of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees in Belarus (UNHCR) Jean-Yves Bouchard, who arrived in Vitebsk on a two-day official visit.
Belarusian lawmakers decided to improve the legal framework in the field of forced migration against the backdrop of a wave
migrants that has engulfed Europe. The bill, which is presented to Parliament,
will streamline the procedure for handling applications at border crossing points
of the state border.
Great
attention will also be paid to the process of granting refugee status itself, as
well as to preventing foreigners from abusing this provision. According to the
representative of the UNHCR, the implementation of such balanced and, to a
certain extent, strict legal instruments will make it possible to respond to and
create certain barriers for migration flows that affect the global situation.
Moreover, it will also lead to a more favorable regime for the protection of
refugees in our country.
—
Refugees are people who flee from the consequences of armed conflict or
persecution. We must distinguish between people in need of protection and
criminals who have committed unlawful acts. Terrorist acts and other negative
recent events in Europe affect public opinion regarding foreigners coming to the
EU. Therefore, one of our tasks is to explain that those in need of protection
should receive it, and countries need to accept and assist such people, — emphasized Jean-Yves
Bouchardi.
It was also emphasized that Belarus should increase the number of places for temporary settlement of asylum seekers and those who have already received protection. Speaking about her meeting with donors in Brussels last week, the UNHCR representative noted that the issue of additional funds to help expand accommodation opportunities in Belarus for persons in need of protection of any nationality was discussed.
Overall, the refugee situation in our republic, according to the diplomat, is under control. Compared to 2014 and 2015, there are fewer people from Ukraine. As for citizens from other countries, their number is comparable to previous years. In the Vitebsk region, 207 people applied for asylum in 2015, and 13 foreigners applied for asylum in the first two months of the current year, whose applications are under consideration.
At the Vitebsk office of the Refugee Counseling Service, Jean-Yves Bouchard met with citizens of Ukraine who raised issues concerning registration, employment, medical care, and social security.
The UNHCR Representative's Legal Advisor, Timofey Solodkov, assured that all applicants would receive the necessary support.
Additionally, during the visit, the diplomat held a series of meetings with representatives of the Department for Citizenship and Migration of the Internal Affairs Directorate of the Regional Executive Committee, the refugee temporary accommodation center, and the regional organization of the Belarusian Red Cross Society.
Olga BULAVKA, "Vitebskiye vesti". Photo by BelTA.