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UN representative:
xenophobic tendencies in Russia is another concern to us
6 March. In an interview with Interfax, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Representative and UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Russia Kasidis Rochanakorn speaks on humanitarian situation in Russia and security issues in the North Caucasus.
The United Nations is concerned over the rise of xenophobia in Russia, Rochanakorn said.
“Another issue of concern to us is the xenophobic tendencies and intolerance towards refugees and migrants that seem to be on the rise in the country. We wish to urge that these unhealthy tendencies be seriously addressed by the concerned authorities and will do whatever is required within our competence to be of assistance to them,” Rochanakorn said.
Moreover, “in 2006 we will advocate for better access of asylum-seekers to the national refugee status determination procedure and documentation as well as for reduction in the waiting periods for decisions on admission and substance of the case,” he said.
“The number of asylum-seekers from non-CIS countries currently residing in Moscow and awaiting access to the Refugee Status Determination procedure is estimated to be in the region of some 3,000 persons,” the UN representative said.
“Over the past decade, although so much had been accomplished by the authorities in terms of asylum system building, we still have a lot more to do to bring it in line with the universally accepted international standards,” he said.
“Issues under discussions [with the Russian authorities] include the need for legislative amendment, quality of implementation of the existing procedures as well as provision of reception arrangements and assistance to facilitate local integration of recognized refugees,” Rochanakorn said.
“Chechnya currently has the highest ranking in terms of the UN security classification, that is most restrictive, security rating in UN terms. Our staff can travel in Chechnya only with very strict security measures,” he said speaking about the situation in the North Caucasus.
“The current security regime still precludes constant access and extended presence of UN personnel” in Chechnya, Rochanakorn said.
At the same time “the UN security officers advise me that during 2005 the overall security situation improved somewhat in Chechnya, but deteriorated in Ingushetia, Dagestan and Kabardino-Balkharia, and remained unchanged in North Ossetia,” he said.
“Reflecting the improvement in Chechnya, the UN agencies like the [United Nations High Commissionaire for Refugees] UNHCR, the [World Food Programme] WFP, the [World Health Organization] WHO, and the [United Nations Children's Fund] UNICEF were able to dispatch a record number of 99 missions in 2005 [to Chechnya], compared with only 23 missions two years ago,” Rochanakorn said.
“Should this positive trend continue, we are hopeful that sometime within the course of this year the UN would be able not only to increase further the frequency of its mission travels to Chechnya but also enhance our operational presence in the [Russian internal] Republic,” he said.
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