• CHAPTER 1. General Provisions
• CHAPTER 2. The Bases for Granting or Rejecting the Refugee Status
• CHAPTER 3. The Entry of Applicant for Refugee Status into the RA
• CHAPTER 4. Granting refugee status
• CHAPTER 5. Rights and Responsibilities of Persons Recognized as Refugees
• CHAPTER 6. Termination of Refugee Status
• CHAPTER 7. The State Designated Body for Refugee issues
• CHAPTER 8. Acquisition of the Citizenship of the Republic of Armenia by Refugees
• CHAPTER 9. Responsibility for Violation of the Law
• CHAPTER 10. Transitory Provision

In the territory of the Republic of Armenia, this Law determines the basis, procedure and conditions of temporary settlement of persons seeking refugee status, granting refugee status or rejecting it, loss of refugee status, the jurisdiction of a state body given the authority by the government of the Republic of Armenia (hereinafter competent body), rights and duties of applicants for refugee status and refugees, guarantees of their legislative and social rotection.

CHAPTER 1.
General Provisions

Article 1. Definitions used in the Law

In this law the following basic definitions are used:

REFUGEE - a person not having RA citizenship who: owing to well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion, is outside the country of his origin and is unable or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to avail himself of the protection of that country; or who, not having a citizenship of any state and being outside the country of his former habitual residence as a result of such events, is unable; or owing to such fear, is unwilling to return to that country, or who, having more than one citizenship, fears that he/she is unable to avail himself/herself of the protection of these countries,

APPLICANT FOR REFUGEE STATUS - a person who applies or has intention to apply to the competent body for refugee status in the Republic of Armenia.

SPECIAL DWELLING - temporary accommodation allocated to the applicant for refugee status for temporary residence during the medical examination process.

TEMPORARY DWELLING - temporary accommodation allocated to the applicant for refugee status and refugee for temporary residence.

Article 2. The Scope of the Law

This law applies to foreign citizens and stateless persons who are in the RA, who in the manner prescribed by this Law, apply or intend to apply to the competent body for refugee status, or have already been granted refugee status, or have been rejected.

Article 3. Legislation on Refugees

The legal status of a refugee and an applicant for refugee status shall be governed by the Constitution of the RA, by this Law, by other laws and other legal acts of the RA.

If the provisions of this Law contradict to the provisions of international agreements signed by the RA, then the provisions of international agreements shall prevail.

Article 4. Documents Certifying Refugee Status

Any person who is granted refugee status shall be issued by the competent body with a refugee ID card and a travel document, format and the manner of issuance of which shall be prescribed by the RA government.

Travel documents for refugees are issued in accordance with the 1951 Geneva Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees.
Refugee ID card is considered to be an identity paper in the RA and shall be issued to any person, having reached 16 years of age, who is granted refugee status; and travel document is issued to persons possessing the refugee certificate who are willing to obtain it.

In the manner prescribed by this Law, the data about the refugees up to 16 years of age shall be mentioned in the refugee ID cards and travel documents of their parents or in relevant documents of other lawful representative.

Children of persons who are granted refugee status may, after reaching 16 years of age, apply to the competent body for issuance of a refugee ID card and a travel document.

CHAPTER 2.
The Bases for Granting or Rejecting the Refugee Status

Article 5. The Bases for Granting Refugee Status

Applicant for refugee status has the right to apply to the competent body and receive refugee status in a manner prescribed by this Law.

In the RA the refugee status is granted to the person mentioned in the Article 1of this law.
a) if he/she is on the territory of the RA;
b) if the refugee status is not granted by other country.

Article 6. The Bases for Exclusion and Rejection of the Refugee Status

Refugee status shall not be granted to a person, if:
a) prior to the entry into the RA he/she has committed a crime against peace and humanity, or a war crime, as defined in the international instruments drawn up to make provision in respect of such crimes;
b) prior to the entry into the RA he/she has committed a non-political crime or has been guilty of committing acts contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations convicted by the International Court;
c) may endanger the security of the RA;
d) having more than one citizenship, without any valid reason, has not availed himself/herself of the protection of one of these countries;
e) the previous application for refugee status has been rejected in accordance with this law, and the new application doesn't contain any additional information;
f) he/she entered the RA from the territory of the country, where there was no reasons for well-founded fear of becoming victim of persecution, and he/she could have been granted refugee status;
g) he/she denies to give necessary information or provides false information about himself/herself or about the details of his/her entry to the RA;
h) he/she is legally married to the RA citizen;
i) he/she was granted residence permit in the RA, in accordance with the RA Law on Legal Status of Aliens in the RA.

CHAPTER 3.
The Entry of Applicant for Refugee Status into the RA

Article 7. The Entry of Applicant for Refugee Status into the RA

Applicant for refugee status as well as persons in masses coming from other states to the RA shall enter into the RA in a manner prescribed by the legislation of the RA.

Applicant for refugee status may submit his/her application for refugee status in cases specified in the Article 5, as well as to a representative of the competent body on the border. If an applicant for refugee status has no permission to enter the RA, then his/her application for refugee status is considered as a ground to enter into the RA and enjoy the rights prescribed by this Law.

Article 8. Residence of an Applicant for Refugee Status in a Special Dwelling

Applicant for refugee status, entering the territory of the RA, is settled in special dwellings intended for that purpose by the competent body, in order to undergo necessary medical examination and verification of documents within one month period, according to the order determined by the RA Government.

Until receiving the final decision, the applicant for refugee status has the right to freedom of movement, choice of residence in the territory of the RA, according to the order determined by the RA Government.

Article 9. Providing Applicant for Refugee Status and Refugee with Temporary Dwelling

A person having entered into the RA, after the medical examination and verification of documents referred to in the article 8 of this law, is settled in a temporary dwelling, in accordance with the order determined by the RA Government.

Article 10. The Rights of Applicant for Refugee Status and the Guarantees of their Rights

Applicant for refugee status has the right:

(a) to receive free of charge translation, legal advice services, medical care and service, according to the order determined by the RA Government, as well as information regarding his/her relatives;
(b) to receive a lump sum benefit, according to the order and amount determined by the RA Government;
(c) to withdraw the application for refugee status.

Applicant for refugee status avails himself/herself of the guarantees of the rights referred to in the article 19 of this Law, as well as may apply to the UNHCR Representative.

Article 11. Duties of Applicant for Refugee Status

While their application for refugee status is being processed and the final decision is not made yet, persons settled in temporary dwellings are obliged to:
(a) conform to the RA legislation and regulations and rules on residing in temporary dwellings, determined by the competent body;
(b) inform the competent body in case of voluntary departure from the RA;
(c) after final rejection leave the RA, within 5 days, if, according to established procedure, such demand is presented by competent authorities;
(d) undergo mandatory medical examination.

CHAPTER 4.
Granting refugee status

Article 12. The Procedure of Applying for Refugee Status

Persons entered into the RA, in accordance with the place of their temporary residence, within ten days in written form apply to the competent body for refugee status, in accordance with defined procedure. Persons who submitted applications for refugee status shall receive an ID of applicant for refugee status.

Persons having reached 16 years of age have the right to apply for refugee status. The applications of persons having not reached 16 years of age are submitted by their parents or lawful representatives.

If persons having reached 16 years have no parents or lawful representatives in the Republic of Armenia, they must be taken in care of the state immediately.

The applications for refugee status shall be received and registered due to the determined order.

The application form for refugee status and the registration order shall be determined by the competent body.

The applicant is exempted from fees of processing the application and the decision-making on it.

Refugee status shall be granted for the period of three years. After expiration of this period it shall be extended for granting refugee status, by the manner prescribed in the law. If the conditions based on which he/she was recognized as a refugee are not existing any more, then the person looses refugee status.

Article 13. Terms of the Application Investigation

The applications for refugee status are investigated within one month.

In the case of a need of additional examination, it may be extended up to three months.

Article 14. Rejection of Application for Refugee Status

The application for refugee status may be rejected if:

(a) the information about the applicant for refugee status does not match for the requirements referred to in Articles 1 and 5 of this Law;
(b) before the investigation of the application and making the final decision, applicant for refugee status leaves Armenia without informing about it the competent body, or has violated article 8 of this Law;
(c) any other basis of rejection deemed by the RA legislation or international agreements are available.

Article 15. Appeal on Rejection of the Application for Refugee Status

The competent body shall make a decision on the eligibility of applicant for refugee status, and within three days, in written form, inform the applicant thereof.

The reasons for rejection of application as established by this Law shall be stated.

The rejection of application may be appealed to a higher authority and to the court within one month.

In the case of appeal by an applicant for the refugee status to the court, he/she may avail himself/herself of the rights of an applicant for refugee status, and he/she shall not be expelled from the RA until the decision of the court on appeal enters into force.

Article 16. Legal Implications of Rejection of Refugee Status

The final rejection of refugee status, after the all procedures, including the appeal process, allows to expel the applicant according to determined order, if he/she is not willing to leave the country voluntarily within a certain period, except when there are other legal grounds for his/her stay in the RA.

The expulsion of the applicant may be suspended if the person, being on the territory of the RA has committed a crime and the court sentence enters into force.

The expulsion may be delayed, if the person has responsibilities towards the RA, the citizens of the RA or the persons being or working on the territory of the RA fulfillment of which requires his/her presence.

Article 17. Expulsion of a Rejected Applicant for Refugee Status, a Refugee who has Lost the Refugee Status or has been Deprived of the Refugee Status

According to the procedure of Article 14 of this Law, the expulsion of a rejected applicant for refugee status and as well those refugees who have lost or have been deprived of the refugee status, not willing to leave the country voluntarily within a certain period specified by the competent body, shall be implemented in accordance with the procedure set up in RA legislation on foreign citizens and stateless persons.

Rejected applicant for refugee status shall be expelled to the country of his/her citizenship or to the other country he/she wishes to leave for, if that country agrees to accept him/her.

The person who lost refugee status may be expelled only by court.

CHAPTER 5.
Rights and Responsibilities of Persons Recognized as Refugees

Article 18. Rights and Responsibilities of Refugees

A refugee in the RA shall have the rights and responsibilities prescribed for foreign citizens and stateless persons, including the right to freedom of thought, speech, conscience and religion.

A refugee shall have the right to freedom of movement and to residence choice in accordance with established procedure.
A refugee shall have the equal rights as prescribed for the RA citizens to the protection by law against unlawful interference with his private and family life, the right of security of person and residence, the right of confidentiality of communication, the right to the protection against infringements on the honor and dignity, life and health, personal liberty and property.

A refugee shall have the ownership right, the right to employment and business activities as prescribed by the RA legislation.
In family relations a refugee shall have the rights and responsibilities equal to those of the citizens of the RA.

A refugee shall have the right to acquire RA citizenship and to serve in the army in a manner prescribed by the Law.

A refugee shall enjoy the right to social protection in a manner prescribed by the RA Law.

A refugee in the RA shall not have the voting rights (except during the local self-governmental elections), shall not have the right to join any public-political organization in the RA, shall not have the right to be elected or appointed in official positions stipulated by the RA legislation.

A refugee shall pay taxes, duties and other mandatory payments in a manner prescribed by the RA legislation.
In the process of exercising of his/her rights and freedoms, a refugee shall not infringe on the rights and freedoms of the RA citizens and other persons and shall not endanger public order, general welfare and the security of RA.

The person recognized as a refugee shall be obliged to observe the requirements of the RA legislation.

With regard to the rights and obligations not prescribed by this Law, a refugee shall enjoy the rights prescribed by the RA legislation for foreign citizens.

Article 19. Guarantees of the Rights of Refugees

A refugee exercising his/her rights and freedoms prescribed by the legislation is under the protection and patronage of the RA.

A refugee shall not be expelled from the RA except in the cases prescribed by this Law.
In the case of conviction, detention, arrest or prohibition of his/her departure from the RA, the official organs within 24 hours shall inform thereof the competent body and the UNHCR Representative in the RA.

No refugee shall be repatriated against his will to the country that he/she has left or any other country where his/her life or liberty would be endangered.

CHAPTER 6.
Termination of Refugee Status

Article 20. Grounds for Termination of Refugee Status

Person looses refugee status if he/she:
(a) has voluntarily re-availed himself/herself of the protection of the country of his/her citizenship;
(b) having lost his/her citizenship, he/she has voluntarily re-acquired it;
(c) has acquired RA citizenship or citizenship of any state, and enjoys the protection of the country of his/her new citizenship;
(d) has voluntarily re-established himself/herself in the country which he/she left or outside which he/she remained owing to fear of persecution;
(e) may no longer continue to refuse to avail himself/herself of the protection of the country of his/her citizenship, because the circumstances in connection with which he/she has been recognised as a refugee have ceased to exist;
(f) being a stateless person, he/she is able to return to the country of his/her former habitual residence, as far as the circumstances because of which he/she has been recognised as a refugee have ceased to exist;
(g) has left for permanent residence outside the territory of RA
(h) the term stipulated in sub-section 7 of article 12 has expired

Minor refugees shall loose their refugee status if they are adopted by the citizens of the RA or foreign citizens in a manner prescribed by the legislation of the RA, except the cases when they are adopted by refugees or stateless persons.

Article 21. Deprivation of Refugee Status

Person may be deprived of refugee status if the facts, unknown before, become known and are prescribed by the Article 6 of this Law as basis to deprive the person of a refugee status.

CHAPTER 7.
The State Designated Body for Refugee issues

Article 22. The Competence of the State Designated Body for Refugee issues

The competence on matters relating to recognition, rejection, loss, deprivation of refugee status in the territory of the RA shall belong to the state designated body dealing with refugees.

The state designated body shall organise reception, settlement and social protection of an applicant for refugee status in accordance with manner prescribed by this Law and the order defined by the government of the RA.

CHAPTER 8.
Acquisition of the Citizenship of the Republic of Armenia by Refugees

Article 23. Acquisition of the RA Citizenship by Refugees

Acquisition of the RA citizenship by refugees is implemented in accordance with the manner prescribed by the Law of the RA "On Citizenship of the RA".

The corresponding state authorities, within the scope of their jurisdiction, shall assist the refugees to acquire RA citizenship.

CHAPTER 9.
Responsibility for Violation of the Law

Article 24. Responsibility for the Violation of the Law

The persons violating provisions of this Law shall be responsible in a manner prescribed by the RA legislation.

CHAPTER 10.
Transitory Provision

Article 25. On Persons Forcibly Displaced to the RA in 1988-1992

The provisions of this Law restricting the rights of applicants for refugee status shall not apply to persons forcibly displaced to the RA in 1988-1992

President of the Republic of Armenia
Robert Kocharyan

March 27, 1999
AL-288