Мнение

UN expert criticizes refugee status bill passed by House of Representatives

A representative of the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees criticized a refugee status bill passed by the Belarusian House of Representatives on October 24.

In an interview with BelaPAN, Ivan Saleyew, an advisor on legal matters at the UN organization’s Minsk office, said that the draft legislation left out some of the organization’s recommendations that would bring it into line with international regulations.

“The Belarus office of the UNHCR Office has presented its recommended changes to the law, which, hopefully, will be taken into account in the next readings,” he said.

In particular, the expert said, the law does not entitle refugees to free health care that Belarusian citizens enjoy and allows authorities to strip foreigners of refugee status after their trip abroad, which runs counter to international standards. “Leaving the country that has granted a person the status of refugee may not become the reason for the termination of the status,” Mr. Saleyew stressed, adding that the UN organization would push for removing the provision from the bill.

The expert welcomed the draft law for providing additional protection to foreigners who do not fit eligibility criteria for refugee status. In particular, the legislation would allow foreigners fleeing their home countries because of armed conflicts to obtain a temporary residence permit in Belarus.