During today’s session, the Government of Armenia adopted a decision on ensuring full implementation of the law on making amendments to the Law on Refugees and Shelter.

Based on the decision, it is proposed to establish that a foreign citizen or stateless person who has trespassed the state border of the Republic of Armenia, or who is criminally prosecuted in the territory of the Republic of Armenia, or who is subject to transfer to the foreign state, starting from the moment criminal prosecution is initiated, he or she is deprived of liberty or his or her freedom is restricted in another way, shall immediately, but no later than within 24 hours, have the right to receive, through a notice, clarification about the right to receive shelter or obtain the status of refugee and the right to submit an application to receive shelter or obtain the status of refugee within 15 days from the moment of notification about that right.

A police officer shall ensure exercise of the right by forwarding to the authorized body the application for receipt of shelter in the Republic of Armenia.