The number of foreigners seeking in the Vitebsk region refugee status, increasing annually. This was reported at a roundtable to discuss the new project of the Belarusian Red Cross (BRC) "Family ties" chief specialist of the external migration of refugees of the citizenship and migration ATC Vitebsk regional Olga Lazareva.

"Belarus has started to work with forced migrants since 1995, when the first law was enacted on Refugees, which regulates activities in this direction. During the period of activity of the legislation in Vitebsk region was reviewed about 380 applications for protection. And if at the first stage, up before 2004, such requests were single, then in 2006 the number of forced migrants, asylum-seekers in the Vitebsk region, begins to grow. During the last three years there has been a significant increase in their: 2012 - 36 hits, 2013 - 58, in June of this year registered 46 hits," - Olga Lazareva said.

Vitebsk was a pioneer in working with forced migrants in terms of their location, and maintenance of normal life. In May 2002, the regional center was opened to temporary shelters. For a long time it was the only institution in Belarus (now operate such items in Gomel and Brest). During the 12 years of the item received in its walls more than 330 foreigners from 31 countries (mainly Afghanistan and Iran is).

"Methods of paragraph constantly improving, developing new forms of adaptation and subsequent integration of living in Belarusian society. So, if the original language lessons were conducted directly in the institution, but now learning is based Masherova State University, where he developed a course on learning Russian to foreigners" - said Olga Lazareva and added that proficiency is the main criterion for inclusion in society.

Now in the region there are 37 registered foreigners (mainly citizens of Afghanistan and Georgia), who have been granted refugee status and 12 Syrian citizens who have received additional protection. Foreigners mostly live in Vitebsk, Novopolotsk and Liozno. "Ten workers have already received citizenship of Belarus, which indicates that they are fully integrated into our society," - chief specialist completed.

The roundtable was attended by representatives of the Bock, ATC Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee, Polotsk border detachment.

BelTA