MINSK, 20 December (BelTA) - The application of Polish citizen Emil Czeczko for refugee status has been accepted for review, Head of the Citizenship and Migration Department of the Belarusian Internal Affairs Ministry Aleksei Begun said in a video commentary on the ministry's Telegram channel on 20 December, BelTA has learned.
“In accordance with the law ‘On granting refugee status, subsidiary and temporary protection to foreign nationals and stateless persons in the Republic of Belarus', the Belarusian Internal Affairs Ministry accepted the application from Polish citizen Emil Czeczko for refugee status, subsidiary protection or asylum in Belarus. The application has been accepted for review and is pending a legal determination,” said Aleksei Begun.
According to him, consideration of such applications takes up to six months. “If necessary, the term of consideration may be reduced to three months,” Aleksei Begun said.
He stressed that the current situation with applications of foreign citizens and stateless persons for refugee status is similar to the previous year. “We have already registered about 500 applications of foreigners for refugee status or subsidiary protection. It should be noted that the share of Ukrainian citizens applying for refugee status or subsidiary protection is decreasing, given the president's decision to naturalize this category of persons. On the other hand, the number of third-country nationals who apply for refugee status or subsidiary protection in Belarus is increasing,” he added.
