stay in one of two closed reception centers in the Czech Republic before they can
move to one of the open camps.507
Asylum seekers placed in the reception center pay for their accommodation
and food in the center if they arrive at the center with more money than the stated
minimum living standard. There is a nurse regularly present at the reception center
at the airport and a doctor present at the reception center in the territory. Legal aid is
available in both centers at least once a week.508
After leaving the closed reception center, asylum seekers can decide whether
they want to stay in one of the open camps or prefer to find accommodation on
their own. Accommodation at the open camp is free if the asylum seeker has less
money than the minimum living standard. Asylum seekers staying in the open camp
who have less money than the minimum living standard receive cash allowances.
Food is not provided in the open camp, and asylum seekers prepare their own food.
Asylum seekers are eligible for public insurance and thus have access to medical aid.
Lawyers from nongovernmental organizations visit the open camps at least once a
week.509
Asylum seekers who decide to find accommodation on their own after leaving the
reception center are not entitled to cash allowances, and they have to cover all their
costs. As they are eligible for public insurance, they do have access to medical aid.
If they need legal aid, they can contact nongovernmental organizations providing
legal aid to refugees in the Czech Republic. All asylum seekers receive a list of these
organizations (with contact information) from the Ministry of Interior when they file
their application for international protection.510
Asylum seekers can work only if they receive a work permit, which cannot
be issued within the first 12 months after filing the application for international
protection. After these 12 months, a work permit should be issued upon request by
the employer, without considering the impact on the labor market.511
A specific procedure applies for asylum seekers who declare their intention to
apply for international protection in the transit areas of the international airport in
the Czech Republic, who are placed in the reception center at Vaclav Havel Airport.
The Ministry of Interior makes a decision on whether the alien is allowed to enter the
territory within five days of the application for international protection. Access to the
territory is not granted if the identity of the asylum seeker has not been established
in a reliable manner, the asylum seeker produced a falsified or altered identity
document, or for whom there is a well-founded assumption that he or she could
threaten the security of the state, public health or public order. Asylum seekers who
are not granted leave to enter the territory must be allowed to access the territory if
507
Information provided by Beáta Szakácsová.
Id.
509
Id.
510
Id.
511
Id.
508
104
Handbook on Protection of Palestinian Refugees
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