Tamara Duysenova discussed issues related to refugees with the UNHCR Representative
Minister of Labor and Social Protection of the Population of the Republic of Kazakhstan Tamara Duysenova held a meeting with Hans Friedrich Schodder, the Representative of the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees for Central Asia , during which topical issues related to the protection of the rights of refugees and asylum seekers were discussed, and a Plan of joint events.
Opening the meeting, the head of the MLSPP thanked the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (hereinafter UNHCR) for fruitful cooperation.
“March 2022 marks 30 years since Kazakhstan joined the UN. We have long-term cooperation with the UN Country Team in Kazakhstan. In 1999, Kazakhstan joined the 1951 Refugee Convention. Kazakhstan has also acceded to most international human rights instruments, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the Convention against Torture, the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, etc.
As you know, on January 1, 2010, the law “On Refugees” came into force, aimed at determining the legal status of asylum seekers and refugees on the territory of the republic. Refugees enjoy the protection of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Along with legal assistance, they receive material and humanitarian support from NGOs and international organizations,” said Tamara Duysenova.
The Minister emphasized the great role of UNHCR as a coordinator, ensuring the effective functioning of the entire cycle of assistance provided to refugees, as well as to asylum seekers. The head of the MLSPP also noted the UNHCR’s contribution to the formation of the Almaty process, as a dialogue platform aimed at solving problems arising from the dynamics of mixed migration and protecting the rights of refugees.
“As part of the reform of the law enforcement and judicial systems of the Republic of Kazakhstan, functions in the field of refugees were transferred from the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Population of the Republic of Kazakhstan. In this regard, in order to ensure a unified policy in the field of migration and refugees, a Committee on Migration is being created under our ministry.
At the same time, we plan to implement other measures arising from the decisions of the UN in the framework of the New York Declaration on Refugees and Migrants, the Refugee Package and the Global Compact on Refugees,” Tamara Duisenova emphasized.
In turn, the UNHCR Representative for Central Asia noted the importance of joint work on the protection of the rights of refugees and asylum seekers.
“We highly appreciate cooperation with the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Population of the Republic of Kazakhstan to improve legislation and practice on refugee issues. We believe that these efforts will help ensure the safety and protection of refugees in line with Kazakhstan’s commitment to the universal Human Rights Agenda. We also hope that our joint work will enable refugees to realize their full potential for the benefit of their host society,” said Hans Friedrich Schodder.
To further strengthen and develop bilateral relations, Tamara Duysenova and Hans Friedrich Schodder signed a Joint Action Plan. It provides for conducting training sessions for employees of local executive bodies competent in refugee issues, as well as the development of joint proposals for improving legislation in the field of protecting the rights of refugees.