Forced Return of Uzbek Asylum Seekers by Ukraine

These individuals apparently were returned to Uzbekistan without passing through the full asylum application process under Ukrainian law, including the ability to appeal their asylum determinations. Ukrainian authorities also ignored the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees’ (UNHCR) request for official guarantees not to forcibly return any of them until after proper Ukrainian asylum application procedures had been followed.

Ukraine, like the United States, is a State Party to the 1967 Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees. We call on the Government of Ukraine to cooperate fully with UNHCR and to honor their treaty commitments whenever they are confronted with claims of asylum.

2006/231