In January 2005, the Government of Belarus approved the implementation of a joint EC/UNHCR project aimed at further development of a modern national asylum system. Total project value amounts to 427 307 EUR with the EC financial contribution of 365 000 EUR. The project will be launched in March 2005 and last until April 2006. In order to realise this project the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees will closely cooperate with the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Belarus and involve the participation of the State Committee of the Border Troops of the Republic of Belarus, the Gomel city Executive Committee and the IPA for UN Studies, Information and Educational Programmes as well as NGOs and other representatives of the civil society.

The project is financed in the framework of the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) of the European Union which concerns 3 Western NIS (Belarus, Moldova and Ukraine) and 11 Mediterranean countries. Situated in Europe’s crossroads  on the new eastern border of the enlarged European Union  Belarus is confronted with the challenge of establishing a modern migration management system that allows combating illegal migration, however, with enough safeguards to ensure fair access of asylum seekers to the territory and refugee status determination procedure (RSD).

Belarus acceded to the 1951 Geneva Convention and the 1967 Protocol in 2001. By February 2005 the Belarusian authorities had granted refugee status to 742 persons. However, further assistance is vital to consolidate the progress that the country has already achieved. It is important to bring relevant national legislation in line with the 1951 Refugee Convention, to ensure fair and non-discriminatory access of asylum seekers to RSD procedures and to establish the necessary infrastructure such as reception facilities for asylum seekers and temporary accommodation centres for recognised refugees. UNHCR is committed to assisting the Government of Belarus in addressing the above mentioned challenges. In order to cover the existing gaps, UNHCR has developed a coherent capacity-building strategy that includes legal expertise, technical assistance, training and public awareness components.

In the framework of this new project UNHCR will assist the Government of Belarus to develop a National Action Plan on Reception of asylum seekers, which will be based on international standards. In practical terms, a Reception Centre to shelter 25 asylum seekers and refugees will be constructed in Gomel on the basis of the existing Gomel city center for family and children. In addition, UNHCR will offer comprehensive legal advice in drafting and revision of legislation to bring it in conformity with the 1951 Refugee Convention, provide equipment for the authorities dealing with refugees and asylum seekers, contribute to the establishment of a computer refugee registration system, arrange 10 training events for government officials and NGO staff on specific refugee protection issues and raise public awareness on refugee issues.

A press-conference devoted to the project will start on 9 March 2005 at 2 p.m, at the National press centre (Octiabrskaya 5). Mr. Bernhard Bogensperger, Project Manager of the EC Delegation to Ukraine, Belarus and Moldova, Mr. Ilija Todorovic, UNHCR Representative in Belarus, Deputy Ministers of Internal Affairs and the State Committee of the Border Troops will take part in the press-conference. It will be followed by the first meeting of the Advisory Board of the project.

For further information please contact Ms. Tatiana Selivanova or Mr. Alexander Velikorodnov at the UNHCR Office in Minsk.
tel.: 298-33-35 (37)
fax: 298-23-69