The directorate for Nationality and Refugees of the Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Albania on March31 notified the MKO former members in Albania that the procedures for their refugee status
The notification reads:
“The directorate for Nationality and Refugees of the Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Albania has decided to start the refugee status determination procedures for all arrivals from Iraq, Ex-Ashraf residents. The main order of appearance for filling of asylum applications and for the interviews is according to the order of arrival to Albania. The Directorate for Nationality and Refugees may enact alterations to this order. Please extend your full cooperation to the Directorate for the faster processing of your cases. The granting of refugee status is linked to all the following entitlements and documentation which will enable your full integration in Albania. Each individual will be contacted individually for the date and time of his/her appearance.
UNHCR/DFNR, DATE 31.3.2014”
The statement was published after some rumors spread among former members by MKO leaders that they will not be given refugee status and will get no passport.