Russian and Belarusian opponents in Portugal between the status of immigrants and refugees

Belarusian and Russian opponents in Portugal are waiting for legalization in Portugal as immigrants, despite the fact that they are putting their lives at risk if they decide to return to their countries, which should equate them to refugees.

“The refugee process is very complex. We need to prove political involvement, that we were persecuted in our country. Now in Russia, one post on social networks is enough for me to be arrested. Will I come back to be arrested and only then will I be considered a refugee?” says Valeria, who fled the country two years ago after the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

A supporter of Navalny, an opponent of Putin who died in prison and for whose candidacy he collected signatures for the presidency, Valeria is part of the Russian community in Lisbon, but still has no legal documents. “I’m waiting, aren’t we all?” he said to Lusa, smiling, one day when he was at the door of the headquarters of the Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA).

After the outbreak of war, Portugal was one of the few countries that kept its doors in Europe open to Russians who showed interest upon arrival in the country. “We came here and then did the paperwork, but the Portuguese bureaucracy is still more bureaucratic than the Russian bureaucracy.”

However, there are no problems with documentation at the embassy. “We managed to request documents from our country, and we are waiting, without a country to return to,” explains Valeria.

The situation of Belarusian opponents is more serious. A community leader in Portugal recalled that Minsk requires documentation in the country and does not allow embassies to deal with issues such as certificates or passports.

“We have people who are upset because their documents have expired and now they will have meetings and appointments at AIMA,” he said.

Going to Belarus to get documents is “risking your life,” he added, emphasizing that there are family reunification cases that have not been completed due to the lack of documents.

“AIMA and the Portuguese government must pay attention to our situation. We cannot cope with the situation, and there must be understanding,” he urged.

Timofey Bugaevsky, leader of the association of Russians in Portugal, praises Portugal’s openness to those who come on a tourist visa and then try to regularize their stay in the country, but regrets the delays and defends the new rules, especially for those fleeing dictatorship.

One way forward could be new refugee rules that would “globally formalize the rules for refugees from dictatorial regimes.”

“Russians are not the only ones who oppose their dictatorial regime. It is important to support the desire of citizens of these countries for democracy, especially those who openly declare their position, volunteers and donors,” said Timofey Bugaevsky.

Although documentation can be completed remotely, “there is a general recommendation for activists not to visit the territory of the Russian Federation, in particular the embassy,” he admitted.

In Russia, “criminal cases are being opened for publications on social networks made several years ago and, as a result, people are experiencing difficulties with legalizing themselves in the countries where they are,” said Timofey Bugaevsky, adding that “there is also a threat to the family.” members of those who oppose the regime and against the war.”

According to a survey conducted by the Lépta channel, an independent information platform on the Telegram messaging network for Russian-speaking immigrants in Portugal, the majority of respondents criticize the functioning of AIMA, in particular the appointment system, lack of transparency or processing delays, among other things.

Respondents propose a new online platform that allows automated scheduling and ask for “tailored solutions for citizens of Belarus and Russia, taking into account the practices of other EU countries and the restrictions” these immigrants face in their countries of origin.

Timofey Bugaevsky is not concerned about the recent demand for advance payment for appointments, but expressed regret that the Portuguese authorities have not been more clear.

“Many people felt the message was fraudulent and it would be good if the changes were clearer and more visible,” he said.

“Tourist visas are a great help for people fleeing war, since most people who disagree with the regime are not political activists, and obtaining this type of visa is easier and faster and allows you to leave the country faster in case of danger. “

However, there is now a problem with converting these visas into more permanent solutions, he added.

This is Valeria’s dream. “I want my son to grow up Portuguese. Nothing connects me with Putin’s Russia anymore.”