Since mid-March, almost all Romani refugees whose housing has been processed by the government have
been placed in a previously abandoned university building at the Faculty of International Relations,
Political Sciences, and Public Administration (FRISPA). Many were transferred there from the Manej Sports
Arena, while later arrivals said they were directed there from the border, train station, or MoldExpo
reception center without being informed of any other accommodation options.
Roma rights defenders and volunteers told Human Rights Watch that conditions at Manej were inferior
to those in other facilities. The European Roma Rights Center (ERRC) said that living conditions at Manej
and in the first days after FRISPA refugee center opened were “inadequate” and “poor.”
Staff and volunteers in Chisinau’s exhibition center, MoldExpo, which serves as the country’s largest
reception center, said that city authorities had an unwritten “policy” denying almost all Roma housing at
the center. “The government ordered that this is not a place for Romani people,” a MoldExpo employee
said."
European Network on Statelessness, Briefing: Update on access to protection for stateless refugees from
Ukraine, 28 April 2022
“Latest information from ENS members and partners in Ukraine and neighbouring countries suggests that
stateless people and those at risk of statelessness fleeing Ukraine are facing barriers to protection due to
their lack of nationality, documentation, and/or residence status. Barriers in Ukraine There have been
reports of racial discrimination, antigypsyism, and differential treatment on the Ukrainian side of the
border. Between 16-18 April, the Ukrainian State Border Guard temporarily implemented a policy of
permitting only Ukrainians with biometric identity documents to exit Ukraine (with some exceptions for
persons fleeing active hostilities or persons with disabilities). The policy was amended on the evening of
18 April to permit all those with national identity documents from all parts of Ukraine to exit the territory.
This is likely to prevent many stateless persons and persons at risk of statelessness leaving Ukraine. ENS
members in Ukraine report significant barriers for stateless people and those without documents to
register for support as Internally Displaced Persons, difficulties crossing internal checkpoints, and fear
amongst those without documentary proof of their links to Ukraine that they will not be able to return to
the country even if they are able to leave. Entry to neighbouring countries Hungary, Slovakia, Poland,
Romania, and Moldova have stated that they admit everyone fleeing the war in Ukraine, including
stateless people, those at risk of statelessness and/or undocumented people. However, inconsistent
practices and instances of discrimination have been reported at different border crossings. Those without
Ukrainian (biometric) passports may face barriers to accessing the territory or be subject to additional
‘secondary screening’ procedures, including in detention-like conditions in some cases. […] EU Member
States are not currently required to extend temporary protection to most stateless people and those at
risk of statelessness living in Ukraine. People without documentary proof of their nationality, international
protection, or a residence permit in Ukraine face significant barriers to accessing protection.”
Al Jazeera, Stateless Ukrainians: No Nationality and Now, No Home, 26 April 2022
“As Europe mobilises to accommodate the growing number of Ukrainians fleeing the country – now
more than four million – stateless Ukrainians are fighting a losing battle for protection and
recognition. Not recognised as nationals by Ukraine or any other state under the operation of its laws,
stateless Ukrainians, who number approximately 40,000, are denied access to basic rights and have
been the targets of pervasive discrimination as they seek refuge abroad. European states must act
decisively within their international legal obligations to ensure protections for all refugees, irrespective
of nationality, race, or ethnicity…”
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