Demand for System Reform
Demand for Reform of the System on Refugees’ Acquisition of Permanent Residence and Naturalization
- Among the many issues on refugee status determination and settlement support that have been discussed for a long time and that we have continually demanded, we urgently demand the improvement of the system on refugees’ acquisition of permanent residence and naturalization.
First, regarding the income and financial requirements for recognized refugees applying for permanent residence, we request that they be “exempted” or “reduced,” considering the legal obligation of contracting states to support settlement in society through swift naturalization and the particular circumstances of recognized refugees (Article 34 of the Refugee Convention, on naturalization).
In particular, if a phased policy is needed, recently for “overseas Koreans” the asset requirement was removed and the income requirement was eased to 70% of GNI (May 3, 2022, Overseas Koreans Task Force, Stay Management Division, Ministry of Justice). Such a policy can be applied immediately, without any particular further review, to recognized refugees, for whom there are provisions under the Refugee Convention.
Second, we request a change of status of stay so that humanitarian status holders, too, can seek stable settlement in Korean society by applying for permanent residence. Even if it is hard to recognize rights under the Refugee Convention for humanitarian status holders who have stayed for a certain period or longer, allowing them to change to an F-type status of stay, like recognized refugees, and to proceed with permanent residence and naturalization is the first step in supporting the settlement of the many humanitarian status holders who are drifting without having settled in Korea or found a proper job. We understand that some related review has been under way, and we request its swift introduction.
May 17, 2022
Korea Refugee Rights Network (KORIN)
▣ 난민인권네트워크 (2022. 5. 17. 기준 아래 30개 단체회원 및 4개 특별회원) 난민인권네트워크 [TFC(The First Contact for Refugee) 공익법센터 어필, 공익변호사와 함께하는 동행, 공익사단법인 정, 공익인권법재단 공감, 공익인권센터 드림 (DREAM), 국제난민지원단체 피난처, 글로벌호프, 난민인권센터, 동두천난민공동체, 동작FM, 민주사회를 위한 변호사모임 국제연대위원회 ,사단법인 두루, 서울온 드림교육센터, 수원시글로벌청소년드림센터, 순천이주민지원센터, 아시아의 친구들, 아시아평화를향한이주MAP, 안산시글로벌청소년센터, 이주여성을위한문화경 제공동체 에코팜므,이주민지원공익센터 감동, 의정부 EXODUS, 이주민지원센터 친구, 천주교 제주교구 이주사목센터 나오미, 재단법인 동천, 재단법인 화우 공익재단, 제주평화인권연구소 왓, 참여연대, 파주 EXODUS, 한국이주인권센터]
