On 17 February, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) handed over 33 information stands to the State Border Service as part of the ongoing cooperation to enhance referral mechanisms and ensure protection and preserve the rights of refugees and asylum-seekers in the Kyrgyz Republic.
“UNHCR remains committed to work with the government of Kyrgyzstan to protect and assist those forced to flee in line with the humanitarian principles. Principles, which the pandemic has only highlighted and which are at the heart of the Global Compact on Refugees: a spirit of solidarity to work together, share responsibilities , and ensure that people forced to flee are included in national responses. We remain available to seek solutions – together – in a spirit of collaboration and constructive partnership”, said Hans Friedrich Schodder, UNHCR Representative for Central Asia.
“The Border Service of the Kyrgyz Republic actively cooperates with UNHCR office in the Kyrgyz Republic in various directions. In particular, in the field of institutional development – on the reception of refugees upon their arrival at the border; as well as in the field of legal counselling of persons crossing the state border ”, – stressed the Director of BS SNSC KR Ularbek Sharsheev.
The State Border Service will distribute the information stands for installation at border entry points. The information stands include refugee related legislation and addresses of UNHCR, the State Migration Service and legal NGO so that border guards can refer any potential asylum-seekers to a relevant authority.
In 2020 UNHCR with support from Government of Japan also provided the State Border Service with protective personal equipment for 1,470 border officials at 18 border check points to enable them to deliver their services while protecting their and public health during the pandemic. Since it opened offices in Bishkek in 1996, the UN Refugee Agency has supported the Government and people of the Kyrgyz Republic with aid at the value of over US$ 60 million.
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