There are many reasons why a person may decide to leave their country of origin and seek protection in another country. But they are all based on a strong principle of humanity that transcends any geographical boundaries. All of us want to live in a world where, if we feel in danger, we know that we can always resume our lives in a safer place for ourselves.

Although it is just over two decades old, the asylum system in the Republic of Moldova can be considered as one that is loyal to fundamental human rights. And the principle of non-refoulement, i.e. the prohibition on returning a person to a country where he or she could be persecuted, is just one example of this commitment.

Here are some of the strengths of our country's asylum system compared to other countries.

Faster and less bureaucratic procedures

International migration experts emphasize that the asylum system in the Republic of Moldova is less bureaucratic, in particular due to the fact that our country registers a relatively small number of asylum applications each year. And this means faster processing time for applicants and a quicker solution to their need for protection.

More flexible regime for granting humanitarian protection status

The procedures for granting humanitarian protection are also quite flexible, providing an alternative solution for those who do not meet all the criteria for refugee status. In our country, the criteria for obtaining international protection are less strict and formal. See the website of the General Inspectorate for Migration for more details on the forms of protection an asylum seeker can obtain in the Republic of Moldova.

Easier and safer integration procedures for the whole community

Living costs, which are more affordable than in most European countries, also play an important role. On the other hand, migration officers strictly monitor the residence regime of foreigners, creating conditions and facilitating the employment of asylum seekers in the labor market from the stage of assessing their applications.

We recall that since March 2001, when the Moldovan asylum system has been established, more than 20 thousand foreigners have benefited from the protection of our country and more than 1600 people have applied for recognition of statelessness.