UNHCR alarmed over asylum-seeker extradition from Kyrgyzstan

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency is alarmed over the extradition of an asylum-seeker from Kyrgyzstan to Belarus, despite threats to the individual’s life and strong opposition from human rights groups. 

According to reports, the asylum-seeker, a Ukrainian citizen originally from Belarus, was detained and handed over to the Belarusian authorities in early March. A court decision led to extradition while refugee status determination procedures were still pending. The asylum-seeker was previously recognized as a refugee in Ukraine, before acquiring Ukrainian citizenship.

UNHCR had intervened with the authorities of Kyrgyzstan, strongly opposing the move.   

The extradition of an asylum-seeker to any country where the individual faces serious harm constitutes a violation of the principle of non-refoulement. This principle, enshrined in the 1951 UN Refugee Convention – of which the Kyrgyz Republic is a signatory – prohibits states from returning a refugee or asylum-seeker to territories where there is a risk to life or freedom.

The forced return of any person to a risk of torture or other serious human rights violations is also contrary to the UN Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment and other international treaties ratified by the Kyrgyz Republic, and under its national legislation relating to refugees.

UNHCR calls on the Kyrgyz Republic to refrain from extraditing or otherwise forcibly returning asylum-seekers and refugees to their country of origin where they may face threats to their lives or liberty.

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