(Unofficial translation)

THE REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA

L A W
on Refugee Status

Given the necessity to observe fundamental human rights and freedoms;

Considering that the state should ensure compliance of the domestic law with the generally recognised principles and norms of international law and provisions of the international documents to which the Republic of Moldova is a party;

Realising that the regulation of refugee status constitutes an important guarantee of human rights;

On the basis of art. 19, para. (2) and art. 72, para. (3) of the Constitution,

The Parliament adopts this organic law.

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Chapter I. General Provisions

Article 1. Main notions

For the purpose of this law the following notions are defined:

Asylum – legal institution whereby a state grants protection to aliens by granting them refugee status, political asylum, or temporary protection;

Alien – a foreign national (with one or more citizenships) or a stateless person;

Asylum seeker – an alien who applies for refugee status;

Refugee – an alien whose refugee status has been recognized in

Political asylum - exceptional protection granted to an alien by the President of the Republic of Moldova;

Country (countries) of origin – country (countries) whose national an alien is; in case of a stateless persons it is the country of his/her lawful and habitual residence;

Article 2. Objectives and Sphere of Application of the Law

(1) This law establishes a legal, economic, social and organisational framework for granting asylum (refugee status, political asylum, and temporary protection) in the Republic of Moldova and determines the status of asylum seekers and refugees.

(2) Asylum shall be granted pursuant to the provisions of this law and other normative acts, in compliance with generally recognised principles of international law and provisions of the international treaties to which the Republic of Moldova is a party.

(3) The provisions of this law shall be applied to all asylum seekers, refugees and individuals who enjoy temporary protection as well to the public authorities competent in dealing with their issues.

Article 3. Right to asylum

(1) Relations resulting from granting and exercising the right to asylum are regulated by the provisions of the Constitution of the Republic of Moldova, international documents to which the Republic of Moldova is a party, by this law and other normative acts adopted in conformity with the above mentioned.

(2) Aliens have the right to seek asylum in accordance with the conditions and procedures set by this law.

Chapter: [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10]