Tuesday, June 20 2017 14:15

ArmInfo. "For the recent several years Armenia received a big number of refugees from Syria, Iraq, Iran, Ukraine, as well as from the countries of Africa. Only from  Syria 22.000 refugees came to Armenia, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Christoph Bierwirth stated during the press conference. 

He stressed that previous year, about 300 families from Syria moved  to Armenia and about 100 families this year. "Of course, after the  liberation of Aleppo the number of refugees decreased, but now it is  still dangerous there. Of the 22,000 refugees, according to the  Ministry of Diaspora, 17,000 remained in Armenia, and according to UN  15,000. Many families moved to the US, Canada and the Persian Gulf  countries. However, the majority remained in Armenia, "Bierwirth  said, adding that about 10-15 families returned to Aleppo. Among  those who returned, there are doctors who felt that their help is now  more necessary in Syria.

He also informed that after last year's April war at conflict  zone  of  Karabakh , 2000 people moved from Artsakh to Armenia. As he said,  because Armenians, due to historical circumstances, were forced to  migrate often, refugees in Armenia are very well received, not only  by the Government, but also by the society.

"Many students received an opportunity to finish education, many  refugees found jobs. Syrian Armenians changes the atmosphere in  Yerevan in many directions", the expert stressed. Bierwirth also  stated that Armenian Government helps the refugees as much as it is  possible, now very profitable loans are given to them for small and  average business. 

However he noted that receiving refuges to Armenia, the issue of  housing is very actual , and many refugees leave the Republic.

Among the problems, the expert also pointed to the strictness of the  laws of the country in case of illegal crossing the state border.  According to him, Armenian legislation in such cases provides for a  very heavy punishment. As an example, he cited the case of three  Afghans who were sentenced to 3 years in prison for illegally  crossing the Armenian border. "No European country has such a severe  punishment for illegal border crossing, which is a violation of the  rights of refugees, but we hope that the Armenian Government will  take into account international experience and change the form of  punishment," he concluded.

To note, June 20 is international refugee day. Last year, 65 million  refugees addressed the UN. In 2016, the number of refugees has  increased strictly. Most of the refugees were from Syria,  Afghanistan, South Sudan and Sudan. The largest number of refugees  were taken by Turkey, Pakistan, Lebanon and Iran. Every second  refugee is a child. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the work  of UN Refugee Agency in Armenia. The department provides  humanitarian, legal, medical assistance, improves the conditions of  shelters, and also helps people with integration into a new society.