Author
According to the Asylum Act, asylum applicants 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 applicants 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 applicants at the border-crossing check points. In relation to asylum applicants 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 applicants 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 applicants accommodated in one of the Regional Centres through their implementing partner CNRR or directly via email, phone or walk-in interviews at its office.
Access of NGOs to border facilities is generally limited due to security considerations. Such access is not broadly regulated by law but is instead governed primarily by practice and specific cooperation arrangements. CNRR is granted access to border facilities on the basis of a signed Memorandum of Understanding and within the framework of its partnership with UNHCR for the purpose of border monitoring. However, starting in January 2025 and as of May 2025, CNRR’s funding for in-person participation in border monitoring activities ceased. Funding previously allocated to monitoring missions was also discontinued. As a result, the organisation’s effective and regular presence at border facilities has been significantly reduced, affecting the continuity and practical effectiveness of monitoring activities.
In practice, NGOs face several obstacles in accessing border facilities. Due to the security-sensitive nature of these locations, access may require prior authorisation and is not necessarily permanent or regular. Asylum applicants may also encounter difficulties in contacting NGOs. In some instances, CNRR has received information from individuals who identify themselves as acquaintances of persons potentially in need of international protection. These intermediaries report that the asylum applicant’s phone has been confiscated and that the person has limited ability to contact external organisations. Conversely, border authorities maintain that mobile phones are not confiscated except where there is a specific security risk.[1]
[1] Information provided by CNRR, 03 February 2026.