Supporting fair and efficient asylum procedures in Central Asia

For Aizhamal Abdykadyr kyzy, protecting human rights is more than just a job – it’s a commitment. Working at the Office of Akiykatchy (Ombudsman) of the Kyrgyz Republic, Aizhamal advocates for civil and political rights, including those of refugees and stateless people. To enhance her expertise, she regularly participates in trainings, but she admits that the Refugee Status Determination Learning Programme was something different.

Run by UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, the Refugee Status Determination Learning Programme is the only Russian-language RSD-specific learning initiative available in Central Asia.

Refugee status determination is the legal and administrative process used to decide whether an individual seeking asylum qualifies as a refugee under international, regional, or national law.

The annual programme aims to align national asylum practices with international standards and provide authorities, national RSD Commissions, judges, and legal aid organizations with the necessary knowledge and tools to ensure fair and efficient refugee status determination.

Quality asylum procedures enable countries to protect the human rights of forcibly displaced people, and meet their international commitments under the Refugee and other conventions, as well as strengthen public trust in the system and promote social stability.

A two-phase learning approach

The 2024 RSD programme unfolded in two phases. The first phase was an online Distance Learning Programme, where over 12 weeks, 38 participants engaged in six thematic webinars, self-learning exercises, and written assignments covering essential topics. They explored interviewing techniques, working with interpreters, assessing the credibility of material elements, establishing material facts, and conducting legal analysis. Other key areas included conducting Country of Origin Information (COI) research, ensuring data protection and confidentiality in RSD procedures, and addressing security concerns in RSD.

“The online training provided a solid theoretical foundation, allowing me to engage more actively in the in-person seminar,” emphasizes Aizhamal. “As a result, I was better prepared to analyze case studies, participate in discussions, and apply key concepts in practical exercises.”

Following successful completion of the online phase, 33 participants took part in an in-person workshop in Bishkek, from December 2 to 5, including key decision-makers from asylum authorities, judiciary, Ombudsman’s Offices, NGOs, Migration Services, Supreme Court Administrations, National Security Services, Presidential Administrations, and Ministries of Labour from Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan.

Enhancing practical experience in RSD

Building on previous trainings, the 2024 RSD programme placed a stronger emphasis on practical exercises and real-case scenarios relevant to the regional context. Participants actively engaged in every stage of the RSD process – from interviewing asylum-seekers and assessing credibility to conducting COI research and drafting assessments.

“Each case was unique, offering a deep-dive into different aspects of refugee law,” says Aizhamal. “Working in groups on these cases helped me see issues from multiple perspectives, which will enable me to take a more comprehensive approach when reviewing asylum applications in the future.”

Zaur Nagiyev, an international expert on refugee status determination and one of the trainers, underscores the impact of the programme. “The 2024 RSD programme was unique,” he says. “Unlike previous trainings, this was structured around continuous engagement, with experts providing feedback every two weeks. The focus on practical exercises meant that participants didn’t just learn the concepts – they applied them to real cases.”

Strengthening refugee protection in the region

Supported by the European Union and other donors, the 2024 RSD Learning Programme builds on years of UNHCR’s work to strengthen local ownership of and investment in asylum systems in Central Asia. Since 2022, 93 officials and legal practitioners across Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan have completed the programme.

"This programme is more than just training. It directly improves refugee protection in Central Asia." - says Zaur

"This programme is more than just training," Zaur adds. "It directly improves refugee protection in Central Asia. By strengthening national RSD systems, we reduce gaps in the current process and ensure asylum-seekers receive fair and timely decisions. After this programme, we expect stronger interviewing standards, better legal understanding of refugee status, and more effective COI research."

Aizhamal agrees. "The knowledge I gained will help me better understand RSD procedures and work more effectively with government agencies and international partners on refugee protection issues,” she says. “The module on refugee status determination criteria and case analysis was particularly useful. It helped me structure my understanding of international and national legal frameworks and learn how to apply them in practice when assessing claims."

Fostering regional cooperation and knowledge exchange

Beyond technical skills, one of the most valuable aspects of the learning programme was the opportunity to connect with professionals from different countries. "The training provided a valuable platform for exchanging experiences with colleagues from other countries, offering important insights into international practices," says Aizhamal. This cross-border collaboration fosters a stronger, more cohesive approach to RSD in the region, ensuring that best practices are shared and applied across Central Asia.

"If you ask me about the impact of this training, I would say that at least 30% of its value lies in networking,” echoes Zaur. “Participants don’t just learn from lectures; they engage in real discussions, sharing their experiences with each other. This way, the information is absorbed more effectively."

The RSD Learning Programme helps ensure those in need of international protection receive the fair and just consideration they deserve.

As of end-2024, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan host over 24,000 refugees and asylum-seekers. Most refugees in Central Asia have been living there for years – some even for decades. They are fluent in local languages and have family ties with nationals of host countries.

Initiatives such as the Refugee Status Determination Learning Programme are part of UNHCR’s broader efforts to support Central Asian governments in their protection of forcibly displaced people. By building national capacity, UNHCR helps States fulfill their international obligations and deliver on pledges made under the Global Compact on Refugees, ultimately ensuring more effective protection for refugees and asylum-seekers across the region.