The Interior Ministry is reportedly proposing a new legal framework for foreigners seeking shelter
The Russian Interior Ministry has reportedly drafted a law overhauling the country’s asylum system, drawing on the experience of an influx of Ukrainian nationals. Some 5 million Ukrainians are estimated to have fled to Russia amid the conflict between the two nations, with an overwhelming majority applying for expedited citizenship.
According to a report by RBK on Tuesday, the legislation would preserve existing mechanisms for refugees – individuals fleeing persecution based on ethnicity, religion, social status, or political beliefs. If enacted, the reforms would also mean asylum for these individuals continues while the threats they face persist.
Temporary shelter would still be granted on humanitarian grounds, but the criteria for this type of protection would be expanded to include rejection of traditional values and “Russophobia” in foreign countries, according to RBK.
Russia currently has a program that offers residency to foreigners who assert that their way of life is under threat in their home countries due to neoliberal ideologies.
The draft law specifically designates political asylum as a separate category of protection, to be awarded at the discretion of the Russian president. This mechanism, grounded in the Russian Constitution, is applied on a case-by-case basis. A notable recent example includes former Syrian President Bashar Assad, who was granted such status after fleeing to Russia last year.
The proposal introduces a new category – temporary protection – which would allow the government to respond effectively to mass arrivals during emergencies, including armed conflicts. Both this status and temporary shelter would initially be granted for one year, with the possibility of extension.
Additionally, the reform aims to eliminate outdated provisions regarding housing options for individuals seeking refuge in Russia, RBK reported.
