Russia, Belarus, Ukraine

The resurgence of civil war and human rights abuses in Chechnya has led to a rise in asylum claims by Russian-Chechen citizens in neighbouring European countries. In the last five years, the number of asylum seekers from Belarus has also dramatically increased, due to human rights abuses perpetrated against the political opposition to the government. Political instability has also contributed to a rise in the number of asylum seekers from Ukraine heading mainly for Germany and the US.

Zoja

Zoja and her daughter escaped the Chechen-Russian conflict in 1994 and were granted asylum in the Czech Republic in 2003.

Natalia

Natalia sought asylum in the Czech Republic with her husband and two children in 2001, escaping the oppressive regime in Belarus.

Nadezda

Nadezda fled political persecution in Ukraine in 1996. She applied for asylum twice in the Czech Republic before finally being granted protection seven years after her original claim.

Ali

Ali is a qualified engineer from Chechnya who fled to Poland with his family in 2003. He was granted tolerated status, but feels insecure and alienated from Polish society.

Maia

Maia lives in Spain with her son and has begun to rebuild her life after the tragic death of her husband, following the family's transfer from the Netherlands under the Dublin Regulation.

Roza

Roza fled the Chechen-Russian conflict and was granted refugee status in Poland. In spite of the anxious period she spent appealing the rejection of her asylum claim, she was determined to integrate into Polish society and now works as a doctor at a local school.