Present Day Conditions For Asylum Seekers in Russia
The conditions for asylum seekers in Russia are generally very poor. Asylum seekers in Russia typically have to wait years to receive a decision from the FMS. During that time, they are typically living without proper legal documents – making it nearly impossible for them to find a job outside of the local food markets. According to the United Nations, until recognized as refugees by the state, asylum seekers cannot enjoy such rights as “legal employment, healthcare, housing assistance and social benefits” - and even the right to register marriages and births.
Asylum seekers in Russia are constantly in friction with the police. Amnesty International states that “asylum seekers are often harassed and ill-treated by law enforcement officers who feel they can abuse such people with impunity”. Amnesty International has received persistent reports of asylum-seekers from outside the territory of the former Soviet Union having their identity papers destroyed by police and being subjected to police harassment in the form of extortion, beatings and general intimidation. Many have been subjected to police raids or intimidated into leaving their homes.
Xenophobia, a fear or hatred of foreigners, is another problem that confronts asylum seekers and refugees. Xenophobia is of particular concern to those that look different than the local community. Such groups include specifically: Africans, Afghans, Iraqis, and Tajiks. There are many occurrences of asylum seekers being beaten by local gangs. In fact, some asylum seekers do not even report attacks for fear of police harassment, since many do not have official status.
Absence of legal documents resulting in problems with housing, employment, and health care, as well as ongoing harassment from the police make it extremely difficult for asylum seekers stressfully waiting for refugee status determination.
Read more about this topic: Russian Federation Law On Refugees
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