26.05.2006

UNHCR the United Nations: Accepted by the Jogorku Kenesh changes in the law on refugees can break the international norms

BISHKEK (AEIpress) - Management of the Supreme commissioner on affairs of refugees (UNHCR) the United Nations takes into account changes in the Law of the Kirghiz Republic « About refugees », entered by virtue of May 19, 2006, thus, regretting, marks, that the Jogorku Kenesh has accepted them, not waiting comments from UNHCR the United Nations. About it informed representation of the given organization in Kyrghyzstan on May 25.

« UNHCR the United Nations have no opportunity to determine, whether will be entered by virtue of change at performance to correspond to the international norms about refugees », - mark of representation. - For example, new definition of the person, « petitioning about a recognition the refugee », does not include foreign citizens who are in the Kirghiz Republic illegally. If this position will not allow such people to have access to procedure of definition of the status of the refugee, it will be infringement of the Convention of the United Nations « About the status of refugees ».

« Other important change, - continues UNHCR the United Nations, - concerns freedom of movement of the people looking for refuges which more cannot choose a residence in the Kirghiz Republic ».

UNHCR the United Nations inform that legislators have explained to them that by means of such changes they intended to avoid spontaneous settlement of the people looking for refuges, in situations of mass arrival. However, as the international organization marks, real value of this change can be appreciated only by monitoring behind its application.

UNHCR the United Nations inform, that it has prepared detailed comments in the Law « About refugees », including the comment on new positions, and in the near future will direct them to the interested ministries. Management is ready to work with the Government of the Kirghiz Republic with the purpose of reduction of the national legislation conformity with the international standards on protection of the rights of refugees.