On June 19, 2014 a press-conference devoted to World Refugee Day was held at the National Press Centre of the Republic of Belarus.
Aleksey Begun, Head of the Department on Citizenship and Migration of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Belarus, presented a short report on the situation with refugees in the Republic of Belarus and answered various journalists’ questions.
In the introductory part of his speech Aleksey Begun noted that June, 20 is marked by the international community as World Refugee Day. This day was established by the UN in order to pay the public attention to the fact that there is such category of persons which exist on the territory of different states.
A. Begun turned the journalists’ mind to the fact that according to the recent data provided by the International Organization for Migration, the number of refugees is steadily rising in the world. Annually in average about 200 people turn to Belarusian mandated institutions for the status of refugees. In 2013 this figure amounted to 213 persons. Previously the main migration flows consisted of citizens of Afghanistan, the last year there were citizens of Syria, this year we can observe the increasing flow of forced migrants from Ukraine.
Belarus approached significant results in formation of the national system of asylum. The national legislation satisfies the international standards and requirements. Moreover, foreign citizens are provided with equal access to the status of refugees granting procedure. In any situation they are entitled to turn to competent authorities with such a request.
During the past period 4 accommodation centers for asylum seekers were created in the Republic of Belarus. Two of them (in Vitebsk and Gomel) are administered by the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Belarus, the third one situated on the territory of Brest border group is under the aegis of the State Border Committee of Belarus. Moreover, temporary accommodation center satisfying the last demands was established in the National Airport Minsk.
During the current year more than 160 foreign citizens applied for the status of refugees in our country. This figure is 40% more than of the similar period of the previous year.
The State Border Committee of the Republic of Belarus, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, as well as the number of organizations involved in integration and social adaptation of refugees remain the main partners of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in the sphere of asylum.
Complex of measures is undertaken in Belarus on the legislation improvement; trainings for the personnel aimed at improving the quality of decision making procedure are conducted; international cooperation on this topic is actively developing.
At the end of the report A. Begun noted that Belarus possesses the most accomplished asylum system within the CIS countries. It is the best example in terms of measures taken on integration and social adaptation of refugees as well.
After the report A. Begun answered the journalists’ questions.
Speaking about topical questions on the situation with refugees from Ukraine, A. Begun defined several aspects. As of the current date, 65 citizens of Ukraine applied for refugee status in the Republic of Belarus. Meanwhile, it is necessary to understand that this figure is three times less than the general number of citizens of Ukraine who came to Belarus for family reunification or temporary employment. About 400 citizens of Ukraine came to Belarus to reunite with their families or register a marriage. Approximately 700 citizens — for temporary paid employment. At the same time they received temporary registration on the territory of Belarus. Besides, A. Begun told that ethnic Belarusians who by the will of faith remained in Ukraine are turning back to Belarus. However, with no doubts, migration flow from Ukraine is increasing. As a rule, A. Begun noted, Ukrainians come from Donetsk and Lugansk regions, which is stipulated by rather an unstable situation in this region.
Speaking about conditions in which asylum seekers from Ukraine are kept, A. Begun said that the biggest amount of applications is submitted in Vitebsk region. The MIA does its best to accommodate citizens of Ukraine, taking into account the fact that number of places in the temporary accommodation centers is rather limited. All the places are currently occupied. 24 places are provided in Vitebsk, 32 in Gomel, 12 in Brest and 8 in the National Airport Minsk (for the period of the access to the procedure, which takes usually about two days). Many Ukrainians rent accommodation, some of them stay with their relatives. In accordance with the national legislation, Ukrainians applying for refugee status are entitled to receive financial assistance. The state can pay the rent for those who cannot afford it themselves.
Answering about how many Ukrainians Belarus is ready to accept, A. Begun noted that currently all efforts are applied to create additional places for asylum seekers from Ukraine. All conditions are created for their employment. A. Begun had difficulty in naming the exact number of persons whom Belarus if ready to accept, but in any case it is explained that Belarus must accept everyone who needs help. The Ministry of Internal Affairs in particular is trying to find all grounds to regulate the status of the citizens of Ukraine who due to several reasons were denied the status of refugees.
Talking on prospects for those 65 citizens of Ukraine to receive the status, A. Begun paid attention that according to conventional definition, refugee is a person who owing to well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion, is outside the country of his nationality and is unable or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to avail himself of the protection of that country. All the applications are given individual assessment. It is considered whether a person or a group of persons complies with international criteria and national legislation in granting the status. The decision making procedure lasts for 6 months in the Republic of Belarus. The biggest number of applications from citizens of Ukraine was submitted in February—March of the current year. As a result, the consideration procedure is coming to an end for many applications and decision is being prepared. Simultaneously, A. Begun noted that there is no decision taken on a mass scale granting of complementary and temporary protection to citizens of Ukraine in Belarus.
Answering to the question on the situation with refugee in the Republic of Belarus in general, A. Begun told that during the whole period of acting legislation on refugees, i.e. since 1997, about four hundred applications on refugee status granting were submitted in Belarus. Now there are 882 recognized refugees on the territory of the Republic of Belarus. About 150 persons from the general number acquired citizenship, it means that the status of refugees was automatically annulled.
Moreover, the journalists enquired about the situation with refugees from Iraq due to the exacerbation of the conflict in this country. A. Begun explained that because of the fact that Belarus is geographically situated far from Iraq, and also taking into consideration visa policies of Belarus in respect to several states, refugees from Iraq firstly flee to neighboring countries. The number of refugees from Iraq may of course rise in Belarus, but this is a long process, and its results will be obvious within 2-3 months.
The question on 14 natives of Vietnam who were detected during the special operation in one of Minsk apartments was touched upon at the press conference. A. Begun informed that these citizens didn’t turn for refugee status in Belarus. Now the question on their status is being decided.