Russia readies reforms in asylum legislation
In Russia, a fresh approach to granting asylum is on the horizon. The Ministry of Internal Affairs has whipped up a draft law named "On the Granting of Asylum on the Territory of the Russian Federation," according to RBK. Right now, these matters are governed by the "Refugee" law, which merely discusses the prospect of becoming a refugee or obtaining temporary asylum.
But this new draft isn't just shaking things up based on a whim; it considers the tumultuous experiences of 2014 and 2022 when refugees from Ukraine sought shelter in Russia en masse. The explanatory note also references stats showing that over 7,000 foreigners asked for temporary asylum in Russia in 2024 (a 17% decrease compared to 2023), with 12 being granted refugee status and 5,302 granted temporary asylum. Most applicants were Ukrainian citizens.
So, what's the catch? This draft has already won the support of the Russian tripartite commission on regulating social and labor relations. The draft law offers more specific criteria for obtaining one of the four statuses compared to the current one. For instance, the "Refugee" law has not worn the term "political asylum" since 2019, and during that period, only five applications for protection were made, all of which were turned down.
Here's the kicker: the draft law introduces the concept of temporary protection in cases of mass influx of citizens into Russia due to an armed conflict. However, the government must officially acknowledge the situation that led to this scenario.
Now, let's talk about the real deal behind this draft law. Russia's migration policy has become more security-focused, leading to stricter laws and increased surveillance of foreign residents[5]. Stricter documentation requirements and vetting processes are part of the package, which might make life difficult for potential asylum seekers. Moreover, existing policies favor tighter border controls and reduced protection spaces for refugees, affecting groups like Central Asian migrant workers[5]. And let's not forget the ever-present scrutiny and legal restrictions faced by foreigners in Russia, which could complicate asylum procedures, even without explicit legislative reforms[5].
So, while we don't have the exact details of this draft law, it's safe to assume that it might reinforce Russia's trend toward tighter, security-driven migration management. To get the nitty-gritty details, it's best to check recent legislative databases or statements from Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- By 2025, Russia's new draft law titled "On the Granting of Asylum on the Territory of the Russian Federation" aims to provide a fresh approach to asylum, replacing the current "Refugee" law.
- In 2024, there was a decrease of 17% in foreigners asking for temporary asylum in Russia, with 5,302 granted temporary asylum and 12 granted refugee status, the majority being Ukrainian citizens.
- The Russian tripartite commission on regulating social and labor relations has offered support for the new draft law, which includes more specific criteria for obtaining asylum status compared to the current law.
- The new draft law introduces the concept of temporary protection in cases of mass influx of citizens into Russia due to an armed conflict, requiring official government acknowledgment of the situation.
- The draft law may reinforce Russia's trend toward tighter, security-driven migration management, with stricter laws, increased surveillance, and stricter documentation requirements for foreign residents, potentially affecting groups like Central Asian migrant workers.
