UNHCR UKRAINE / MARCH 2021
Cross-border movement of people Summary of 2020 statistics of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine Access to territory
Migration to/from Ukraine has significantly decreased as compared to the same period of 2019, with 6.9 million foreigners and stateless persons having crossed (3.4 million in and 3.5 million out) Ukrainian borders in 2020 (vs. 27.32 million both; 13.71 million in and 13.61 out in 2019). At the same time, the number of foreigners and stateless persons denied entry to Ukraine has decreased from 22,200 in 2019 to 13,000 in 2020 (by 41%).
CROSS-BORDER TRAFFIC OF FOREIGNERS AND STATELESS PERSONS IN/OUT UKRAINE
2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
35
30 28.6
27.3
MILLIONS
26.8
26.5 25.9 25
20
14.6 14.6
13.7
13.7
13.6 13.4
15 13.4
13.0
12.9
12.7 12.6
10
6.9
6.4
6.2 3.5 5 3.4
0 TOTAL ENTERED UKRAINE MOVED OUT OF UKRAINE
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Number of foreigners and stateless persons denied entry to Ukraine 32,700 31,700
22,200 22,200 19,500 16,700 13,000
2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
Top 4 nationalities of denied entry foreigners:
Citizens of the Russian Federation – 22.3% (vs 32.7% in 2019) Citizens of Turkey – 17% (vs 15% in 2019) Citizens of Moldova – 13% (vs 8% in 2019) Citizens of India – 4%.
Out of total number denied entry: 3% were Belarusians (vs 1.6% in 2019); 1.5% were Syrians (vs 1.4% in 2019); 2.3% were Uzbeks (vs 3.1% in 2019).
Foreigners denied entry, by country of origin in 2020, in % 22.3%
17.0%
13.0%
4.0% 3.0% 3.0% 3.0% 2.3% 1.5%
Russian Turkey Moldova India Azerbaijan Poland Belarus Uzbekistan Syria Federation
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TRENDS IN FOREIGNERS DENIED ENTRY, BY COUNTRY OF ORIGIN, IN %
2017 2018 2019 2020
32.7%
29.7%
23.8%
22.3%
17.1%
15.3%
13.0%
8.0%
4.9%
3.8%
3.5%
3.3%
3.1%
2.5%
2.3% 2.3%
1.8% 1.8% 1.8%
1.6%
1.5% 1.5% 1.4%
R U S S I A N MOLDOVA GEORGIA UZBEKISTAN HUNGARY SYRIA FEDERATION
Accelerated Readmission
The number of foreigners and stateless persons returned to Ukraine Number of foreigners under EU-Ukraine readmission agreement has decreased by 34.4% as compared to the same period of 2019. returned to Ukraine 513 381 381 foreigners (including 64 Turks, 47 Afghans, 32 Bangladeshi, 30 323 250 Iraqis, 30 Vietnamese, 14 Russians, 14 Somalis, 1 Syrian) were returned to Ukraine in 2019 and 250 foreigners (including 60 Turks, 31 Indians, 31 Bangladeshi, 29 Algerians, 11 Afghans, 11 Syrians and 8 Somalis). 2017 2018 2019 2020
Foreigners readmitted to Ukraine, by countries of origin
2017 2018 2019 2020
Vietnam Vietnam Turkey Turkey
India and Turkey Turkey Afghanistan Bangladesh
India Iraq Bangladesh Algeria
Syria and Syria India Iraq Afghanistan
Russia Russia Vietnam Somalia
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Number of foreigners readmitted to Ukraine, by the returning country in 2020
103 93
50
4
Slovakia Poland Romania Hungary
Number of foreigners and Due to implementation of the procedures of the Implementation stateless persons removed Protocols with MDA (not implemented in 2019) and the RF (not from Ukraine implemented in 2018-19) the number of foreigners and stateless persons removed from Ukraine under the Readmission 162 agreements increased in more than 5 times (by 400%) in 2020. Out of 162 persons: 95 were removed to Moldova (14 of them are stateless persons from the Transnistria!), 46 (30 to ROM; 10 to 35 32 30 POL; 6 to SVK ) to the European Union countries, 18 to the Russian Federation; 3 to BEL. 30 foreigners were removed from 2017 2018 2019 2020 Ukraine in 2019.
Irregular migration Number of foreigners found in violation under art. 202 of the In 2020, 706 foreigners and stateless persons were held Code of Administrative Offences administratively liable for violation of border regime (art. 202 of the Code of Admin Offences - CUAO). This 1,230 1,056 figure is 42.6% lower than in 2019 (1,230). 959 706
2017 2018 2019 2020
Number of foreigners and stateless There is a major decrease (70.1%) in number of persons found in violation of art. foreigners and stateless persons charged with 203(2) of Code of Admin Offences violation of registration procedures or violation of term of stay in Ukraine revealed at border 36,600 31,150 crossing points (par. 2 of art. 203 of the CUAO). In 2019 this number was 31,150.
Number of persons detained for Illegal border 9,300 crossing or an attempt thereof (204-1 of the CUAO) decreased as compared to same period of 2019 (1,115 persons in 2020 vs 1,685 persons in 2019). 2018 2019 2020
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Number of foreigners detained for Citizenship of persons detained for illegal border crossing or an attempt illegal border crossing or an attempt under art. 204-1 of the Code of under art. 204-1 of the Code of Admin Admin Offences Offences 1872 1,700 1,685 307
206 1,115 183 114 63 45 42 40 39 38 38
2017 2018 2019 2020
The biggest groups charged: 206 MDA; 183 UKR (at Number of persons held administratively BCPs between Ukraine and the Russian Federation: liable under art. 204-2 of the CUAO “Hoptivka”- 78; “Synkivka”- 35; “Milove”-32; (Violation of rules of entry and exit into the “Bachyvsk”-17; other -21). temporary occupied territory of Ukraine There was an increase (by 124%) in the number of 11,700 persons held administratively liable under art. 204-2 of the CUAO (Violation of rules of entry and exit into the temporary occupied territory of Ukraine): 5,233 5,233 persons (including 5.087 Ukrainians and 146 foreigners, among them: 94 citizens of RUS; 10 AZE; 6 ARM; 5 MDA and some other countries) in 2019 vs 945 11,700 persons in 2020. The latter included 11,600 Ukrainians, 110 Russians, 19 Azeris and some other 2018 2019 2020 countries nationals.
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Detention The number of foreigners and stateless persons detained in SBGS holding facilities has decreased by 26%: 1,555 persons in 2019 vs. 1,149 in 2020.
Number of persons detained in SBGS holding facilitites
1,555 1,452
1,154 1,149
2017 2018 2019 2020
The breakdown of the 1,149 detained: 796 have been detained at the segment of Western Regional Directorate; 186 have been detained at the segment of Southern Regional Directorate; 98 have been detained at the segment of Eastern Regional Directorate; 69 have been detained at the Units of Central Subordination (including SBCP Kyiv - Boryspil, Zhulyany airports).
Breakdown of detained persons by SBGS Directorates
Western Regional Directorate 1,176
Southern Regional Directorate 199
Eastern Regional Directorate 79
Northern Regional Directorate 79
SBCP Kyiv (Boryspil, Zhulyany airports) 13
There is a decrease (by 26%) in the number of persons placed in Migrant Custody Centers based on court decisions initiated by the SBGS for the purpose of identification and / or securing expulsion from Ukraine - 219 persons, including: 42 Bangladeshis, 40 Afghans, 25 citizens of Sri Lanka, 20 Algerians, 13 Indians in 2020 vs 296 persons, including: 48 Afghans, 10 Somalis, 4 Syrians, 3 Russians, 2 Palestinian during 2019.
Number of persons placed to Migrant Custody Centers based on court decisions initiated by the SBGS
404 366 296 219
2017 2018 2019 2020
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Almost the same number of asylum-seekers, registered with SMS placed in Migrant Custody Centers until completion of their asylum procedure - for their attempt of irregular exit Ukraine: 31 (13 SYR, 4 RUS, 3 IRQ) in 2020 (apprehended by Lviv – 13, Mukachevo – 9, Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi – 4, Chop – 3, Chernihiv and Luhansk – 1 each BGDs for Illegal border crossing or an attempt thereof) vs 28 asylum-seekers in 2019.
Asylum-seekers registered with SMS placed in Migrant custody centers for their attempt of irregular exit Ukraine, by country of origin
Other, 26%
Syria, 42%
Iraq, 9%
Yemen, 9% Russian Federation, 13%
Asylum-seekers registered with SMS placed in Migrant custody centers for their attempt of irregular exit Ukraine
31 30 28
12
2017 2018 2019 2020
Asylum-seekers registered with SMS placed in Migrant custody centers for their attempt of irregular exit Ukraine, by place of apprehension
21 2018 2019 2020
13
9 9 9 6 4 4 3 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
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Forced return / expulsion procedures
In 2020, there was a decrease (by 49%) on number of persons with regard to whom SBGS Number of foreigners and stateless decided on forced return from Ukraine. Such persons with regard to whom SBGS decisions were made in cases of 408 foreigners decided on forced return and stateless persons (including 103 Turks, 101 956 Moldovans, 26 Indians, 22 Algerians, 19 710 799 stateless persons). In 2019, SBGS adopted decisions on forced return from Ukraine 799 408 (including 80 stateless persons, 19 Afghans; 16 Iraqis and 3 Syrians). 2017 2018 2019 2020
Foreigners and stateless persons with regard to whom SBGS decided on forced return in 2020, by country of origin 137
103 101
26 22 19
Turkey Moldova India Algeria STA Other
The biggest number of decisions on forced return adopted by the following SBGDs: Lviv – 128; Chop – 52; Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi – 46; Podilsk – 37; Chernivtsi – 35; Decisions on forced return Lutsk – 19; Mukachevo – 17; other SBGDs – 74. adopted in 2020
The number of SBGS' lawsuits on forced expulsion from Ukraine satisfied by the Ukrainian courts decreased (by 38%) to 149 in 2020 (including on 20 Iraqis, 20 Sri Lankais, Other 17 Indians, 16 Algerians) vs 239 in 2019. 18% Lviv Mukachevo 4% 31% Lutsk 5% Number of SBGS' lawsuits on forced expulsion satisfied by Chernivtsi 9% Chop 13% the Ukrainian courts Podilsk 9% 397 Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi 11% 296 239 149 The implementation rate in 2020 is 59% (88 court decisions were actually implemented, including with regard to 15 LKA; 15 IRQ; 12 IND) vs 85% (202 decisions) in 2019. 2017 2018 2019 2020
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SBGS' lawsuits on forced expulsion satisfied by the Ukrainian courts, by the country of origin
50 2018 2019 2020
23 18 20 12 7 3 2 1 2 0 0
Afghanistan Iraq Somalia STA
Court decisions on forced expulsion imlemented
202
164 153
88
2017 2018 2019 2020
Access to asylum
The number of foreigners and stateless persons who applied for asylum trough SBGS officials and were transferred/referred to migration service is 80 altogether in 2020 (vs 62 in 2019 vs 104 in 2018).
Number of foreigners and stateless persons applied for asylum 174 through SBGS 134 104 77 80 53 62
2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
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Asylum-seekers who applied through the SBGS, by type
2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 144
74
54 44 43 34 34 33 36 24 20 24 14 19 14 19 11 10 11 9 7
From SBGS temporary During irregular border During regular entry at BCPs holding facilities crossing
Out of those asylum-seekers who applied through the SBGS: 67.5% (54) applied from SBGS temporary holding facilities 8.8% (7) applied during irregular border crossing 23.7% (19) applied during regular entry (received SBGS’ consultation on asylum procedure at BCPs).
To compare, in 2019, out of those 62 asylum-seekers who applied through the SBGS, 22.6% (14) applied during the irregular entry; 54.8% (34) applied for asylum from SBGS’s temporary holding facilities (after they attempted to irregularly exit UKR towards the EU), and 22.6% (14) applied during regular entry (received SBGS’ consultation on asylum procedure at BCPs).
It includes 7 foreigners and stateless persons (5 RUS, 1 UZB, 1 STA) who applied for asylum through SBGS officials during irregular border crossing at Kharkiv (1 - STA), Zhytomyr (1 - RUS), Chop (1 – UZB, 1 - RUS), Sumy (2 – RUS), SBCP Kyiv airports (1 - RUS) BGDs and were transferred to Migration Service during 2020.
Foreigners and stateless persons Foreigners and stateless persons applied for asylum through SBGS applied for asylum through SBGS officials during irregular border officials during irregular border crossing in 2020, by country of origin crossing in 2020
Uzbekistan Zhytomyr 14% 14% Chop Stateless 29% SBCP Kyiv 14% airports Russian 14% Federation Kharkiv 72% Sumy 14% 29%
It also includes 19 persons (11 BLR, 5 CMR, 3 LBY) who applied for obtaining explanations on asylum procedures during regular entry at BCPs and were referred to SMS.
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It also includes 54 asylum-seekers who applied from SBGS temporary holding facilities (18 SYR, 16 AFG; 5 RUS; 3 IRQ; 2 EGY; 2 ERI; 2 LKA; 1 AZE; 1 CHN; 1 IRN; 1 SOM; 1 SDN; 1 VNM). 31 of them were transferred to MCCs under the court formulation “detention until completion of RSD procedures” It covers 13 SYR; 4 RUS; 3 IRQ; 3 YEM; 1 EGY; 1 SUD; 1 BGD; 1 SOM; 1 AFG; 1 IRN; 1 KAZ,1 LKA. Other 23 who applied for asylum after the court hearing could be placed in the MCC under different formulations: «detention for identification and expulsion», «detention for identification», «detention to ensure transfer of person as per Ukraine's international agreements on readmission», «detention for expulsion». In 2020 UNHCR partners conducted 55 monitoring visits to 6 THF out of 16. Usually SBGS provide UNHCR partner staff with access to the detainees only after their investigation and court procedures on detention are over.
54 asylum applications took place in the following THFs BGDs: Luhansk (1 RUS); Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi (4: 2 SYR, 1 IRQ, 1 IRN); Lviv (12: 3 SYR, 2 AFG, 2 RUS, 2 EGY, 1 CHN, 1 YEM, 1 SDN); Mukachevo (12: 8 SYR, 4 AFG); Chernihiv (1 RUS); Odesa (6: 4 SYR, 2 IRQ); Chop (18: 10 AFG, 2 LKA, 2 ERI, 1 AZE, 1 SYR, 1 SOM, 1 RUS).
As per SMS data, number of asylum-seekers transferred/referred by SBGS to migration authority increased for 29% in 2020 (597 asylum applications, were submitted countrywide in 2020 (including by 195 (32,6%) irregularly entering) vs 1,036 asylum applications, were submitted countrywide in 2019 (including by 272 (26%) irregularly entering. However, the 2020 SMS statistics reflects only 47 (7,8%) applications handed over through SBGS (vs 28 (2,7%) in 2019) vs 80 in 2020 and 62 in 2019 SBGS data.
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Statistics on Syrian nationals for 2020
13,400 Syrian nationals are reported to have entered Ukraine in 2019 (vs 16,000 in 2019 vs 14,000 in 2018 vs 12,000 in 2017).
Syrian nationals reported to have entered Ukraine
16,000 14,000 13,400 12,000
2017 2018 2019 2020
181 Syrians were denied crossing of the Ukrainian border on entry to Ukraine (vs 291 in 2019 vs 369 in 2018 vs 372 in 2017).
54 Syrians were held administratively liable for Illegal border crossing or an attempt thereof (204-1 of Code of Admin Offences) in 2020 vs 9 in 2019 vs 8 in 2018 vs 43 in 2017.
11 Syrians have been returned to Ukraine under the EU-Ukraine readmission agreement.
In 2020, SBGS did not submit any lawsuits on forced expulsion of Syrians from Ukraine. In 2019, Ukrainian courts satisfied lawsuits on forced expulsion of 3 Syrians from Ukraine (vs 0 in 2018 vs 1 in 2017).
21 Syrians are reported to have applied for asylum through border guards in 2020 vs 3 in 2019 vs 5 in 2018 vs 4 in 2017.
396 372 2017 2018 2019 2020 291
181
43 54 8 9
Syrians denied crossing Syrians held administratively liable for illegal crossing
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Statistics on stateless persons for 2020
2,600 stateless persons entered Ukraine during 2020 and 102 stateless persons were denied entry to Ukraine (vs 8.248 Number of stateless persons entered entered and 270 were denied entry in 2019; Ukraine 8.243 entered and 315 were denied entry 8,243 8,248 in 2018; 7.500 stateless persons entered 7,500 Ukraine and 333 were denied entry in 2017).
36 stateless persons were charged for 2,600 irregular border crossing or attempt thereof (vs 67 in 2019; 111 in 2018).
In 2020, 0 stateless persons were returned 2017 2018 2019 2020 to Ukraine under readmission agreements.
Number of SBGS’s decisions on forced return of stateless persons - 14. They were implemented through readmission agreement with MDA (vs 80 in 2019; 136 in 2018; 106 in 2017).
No lodged lawsuits on forced expulsion of stateless persons (vs 0 in 2019; 3 in 2018; 1 in 2017).
Stateless persons 2017 2018 2019 2020
333 315 270
136 102 111 106 67 80 36 14
Denied entry Charged for irregular Number of SBGS border crossing decisions on forced return of stateless persons
Key trends identified:
Due to restrictions related to COVID-19, in 2020 cross-border movements in Ukraine nosedived by 75%. SBGS stopped admission to Ukraine of foreigners and stateless persons from 16.03.2020. Number of operational BCPs decreased from 219 to 49, and later to 19. The foreigners’ access to the territory was re-established on 12 June subject to availability of medical insurance and two weeks observation for foreigners from the-covid effected countries. The access to the territory for foreigners has been suspended again from 29.08 to 30.09.2020. Accordingly, the number of foreigners denied entry to Ukraine has also decreased by 41% (particularly, citizens of the RF remain the top nationals denied entry in the context of the ongoing armed conflict at the East of Ukraine). Number of foreigners and stateless persons returned to Ukraine under EU-Ukraine readmission agreement has decreased by 34.4% as compared to the same period of 2019. Due to implementation of the procedures of the Implementation Protocols with MDA (not implemented in 2019) and the RF (not implemented in 2018-19) the number of foreigners and stateless persons
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removed from Ukraine under Readmission agreements increased in more than 5 times (by 400%) in 2020 (162) in comparison with 2019 (30). Number of Syrian nationals who enter Ukraine for the last four years stopped growing due to restrictions related to COVID-19. Similarly, the number of Syrian nationals denied entry decreased. 68.5% less stateless persons entered Ukraine in 2020. The number of stateless persons charged for irregular border crossing also decreased by half (36). Number of persons detained (1.149 persons) for Illegal border crossing or an attempt thereof (204- 1 of the CUAO) decreased (by 34%). The biggest groups charged: 206 MDA; 183 Ukrainians (at BCPs between Ukraine and the Russian Federation: “Hoptivka”- 78; “Synkivka”- 35; “Milove”-32; “Bachyvsk”-17; other -21). The number of foreigners and stateless persons detained in SBGS holding facilities has decreased by 26%. This may be explained by the general reduction of cross-border movements in 2020. Traditionally 69% (796) of foreigners and stateless persons were detained in SBGS THF under supervision of the Western Regional Directorate, meaning they were trying to leave through the Western border into the EU countries. There was a significant increase (by 124%) in the number of persons (11,700) held administratively liable under art. 204-2 of the CUAO (Violation of rules of entry and exit into the temporary occupied territory of Ukraine). It included 11,600 Ukrainians, 110 Russians, 19 Azeris and some others. The number of foreigners and stateless persons who applied for asylum through SBGS officials increased by 29% (80) in 2020 as compared to 2019 (62). Nationals of Syria (18) occupy the first place among foreigners applied for asylum through SBGS officials at THF; while (5) Russians among those who apply during irregular entry and (11) Belorussians among those who apply during regular border crossing vs Russians who were no. 1 in 2019. The statistics on asylum-seekers handed over by SBGS to SMS provided by SBGS (80) and by SMS (47) are always contradictory, signifying a lack of information exchange and unified approaches to statistics among the state agencies. In 2020, number of implemented court decision (88) of forced expulsions of foreigners from Ukraine dropped twice as compared to 2019 (202). This may be explained by suspension of flights from Ukraine for four months due to the COVID-19 restrictions.
CONTACTS E-mail: [email protected], Tel: +38 044 288-9710
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