Russia: Update to Response to Information Request RUS16767.E of 7 March 1994 on forced migrants; on their rights, particularly those from Georgia or Abkhazia, and how they differ from the rights of Russian citizens
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 April 1996 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | RUS23382.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Russia: Update to Response to Information Request RUS16767.E of 7 March 1994 on forced migrants; on their rights, particularly those from Georgia or Abkhazia, and how they differ from the rights of Russian citizens, 1 April 1996, RUS23382.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6ab1164.html [accessed 21 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
In telephone interviews on 10 and 19 April 1996, the chief of mission of the International Organization for Migration in Moscow provided the following information. Forced migrants are former citizens of the Soviet Union who are living in Russia because of military conflicts or extreme difficulties they encountered in the successor states to the former Soviet Union. Forced migrants have more rights than refugees, and possess many, but not all, of the rights of Russian citizens. Forced migrants have the right to work, but they are not permitted to vote. They have the right to apply for Russian citizenship and almost all forced migrants who do apply are successful; however, the application process for citizenship is cumbersome and lengthy in some cases, while simplified and shortened in others.
Forced migrants are eligible to receive assistance from the Federal Migration Service (FMS), although because of FMS budget restrictions, it is often only the most vulnerable, such as the elderly and single mothers, who receive assistance. Forced migrants often have difficulty in obtaining permission to live in urban areas, and many are obliged to reside in rural areas.
The director could not provide information on whether the rights of forced migrants from Georgia or Abkhazia differ from the rights of other forced migrants, nor could this information be found among the other sources consulted by the DIRB.
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.
References
International Organization for Migration, Moscow. 19 April 1996. Telephone interview with chief of mission.
_____. 10 April 1996. Telephone interview with chief of mission.
Other Sources Consulted
Human Rights Watch World Report. Yearly.
Indexed Media Review [Ottawa]. Weekly.
News from Helsinki Watch [New York]. Monthly.
On-line search of media sources.
Other oral sources.
Transition: Events and Issues in the Former Soviet Union and East-Central and Southeastern Europe [Prague]. Bi-monthly.
