Vice Minister of Labor and Social Protection of the Population of the Republic of Kazakhstan Askarbek Ertayev took part in the regional consultative meeting of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (hereinafter referred to as UNHCR) online. He informed representatives of the international organization about the measures taken by Kazakhstan to protect the rights of refugees and asylum seekers.

Ertayev emphasized that ensuring the protection of rights and support for asylum seekers is under the constant control of the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Population.

"Today, refugees, as well as asylum seekers, receive medical care within the framework of the guaranteed volume of free medical care on an equal basis with citizens of Kazakhstan.
Refugees have the right to freedom of labor and entrepreneurial activity. In accordance with national legislation, refugees and asylum seekers, unlike other foreigners, do not need to obtain permission from the local executive body to carry out labor activities.
The legislation of Kazakhstan ensures the right of all children, incl. children of refugees and asylum seekers to receive pre-school, primary, general secondary education - free of charge, as well as higher and postgraduate education - on a competitive basis," the vice minister noted.
He also reported that targeted social assistance is provided to refugees, as well as citizens of Kazakhstan, in the form of unconditional or conditional financial assistance.

"Refugees have the right to apply for permanent residence and citizenship of Kazakhstan.At the same time, refugees are exempt from providing certificates of criminal record in the country of origin when submitting documents for a permanent residence permit in Kazakhstan and citizenship of Kazakhstan,” said Askarbek Yertayev.

The Vice Minister added that since the beginning of this year, Kazakhstan has begun to implement 3 new obligations regarding refugees and asylum seekers.

1. Adoption of a functioning procedure for the referral of refugees and asylum seekers between the border service and responsible government agencies to ensure unimpeded access to the territory and asylum procedures.
2. Further improvement of mechanisms for providing access to medical care, employment, education and social assistance on an equal basis with citizens and foreigners permanently residing in Kazakhstan.
3. Establishment of a quota for the admission of refugees within the framework of the Scholarship Program for Higher Education.

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