Author
According to the Asylum Act, asylum seekers located at the border or in detention centres have the right to be counselled and assisted by a representative from non-governmental Romanian or foreign organisations and to contact and receive assistance from an official of UNHCR at any stage of the asylum procedure.
In practice, asylum seekers located at the border have difficulties in accessing NGO services and assistance. Access depends on whether the Border Police or IGI-DAI inform the NGOs of the presence of asylum seekers at the border-crossing check points. In relation to asylum seekers detained in detention centres, access to such services is not systematically ensured as NGOs, namely CNRR, do not have regular office hours in these centres.
In practice, asylum seekers residing outside reception centres often face difficulties accessing NGOs. Their access largely depends on word-of-mouth information shared within the community, as well as the availability of contact details exchanged at the time of their asylum claim or during the integration programme. NGOs typically maintain a stronger presence within the reception centres, which makes access more limited for those living independently. While immigration authorities may refer individuals to NGOs when they apply for asylum or enter the integration programme, this referral does not systematically reach all those living in the community.
In 2024, UNHCR Romania was contacted by the asylum seekers accommodated in one of the Regional Centres through their implementing partner CNRR or directly via email, phone or walk-in interviews at its office.