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From 2018 to 2019, UNHCR and SBGS collaborated to set up 30 boards at the Border Control Posts along the Russian Federation and Belarus borders, along with 24 stands equipped with informational leaflets at international airports in Ukraine. These boards provide concise information in English and Russian regarding asylum procedures and caution against using fake passports, along with contact information for SBGS, SMS, and UNHCR hotlines. The accompanying leaflets elaborate on asylum and appeals processes in Arabic, English, Farsi, and Russian.[1]
According to information relevant prior to 2022, access to the transit zone in airports had to be requested by UNHCR and/or its partners to the Administration of the SBGS for each case when UNHCR and its partners had indications that individuals had expressed their intention to apply for asylum from those zones.
In its 2018 report, UNHCR noted that already in 2017, access had deteriorated, as UNHCR has recorded more than 40 instances when such access was denied. It should be mentioned that this mostly concerned individuals who could not continue on with flights to the EU due to their lack of Schengen visas or due to the possession of forged passports identified by the air companies. These individuals became stranded at Kyiv Boryspil Airport and were subsequently returned due to carrier sanctions.
In 2017, UNHCR Kyiv NGO partner got access to only 6 persons who wanted to claim asylum but were denied access to the territory and were at risk of deportation.[2]
Since 24 February 2022, information regarding access of NGOs to potential asylum seekers at the border is absent.
[1] Committee of Ministers, Communication from Ukraine concerning the case of Kebe and Others v. Ukraine, 23 January 2023, DH-DD(2023)95, available here.
[2] UNHCR.