French Embassy mum on asylum for economist

French Embassy officials refused yesterday to comment on the application for refugee status and political asylum of a Frenchman working as a senior consultant at the Manila-based Asian Development Bank

Press attaché Benedicte Meyssan would neither confirm nor deny the issues raised by Marc Cohen, particularly the embassy’s alleged refusal to renew his passport.

Cohen said he has diplomatic status, being a member of an international organization.

Acting Justice Secretary Merceditas Gutierrez also declined to discuss the matter, saying it was confidential and "premature at this time."

Gutierrez said Justice Department Order No. 4 lays down the guidelines on how a person can qualify for refugee status or political asylum.

Under the order, an applicant shall not be expelled or returned to his country of origin if there are valid reasons to believe that his life or freedom would be threatened on account of his race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group or political opinion.

An applicant shall not also be punished on account of his illegal entry or presence in the country provided he presents himself without delay to the authorities, and shows good cause for his illegal entry or presence.

The justice secretary is to interview the applicant once she (in this case Gutierrez) finds the application complete in form and accompanied by all the required documents.

The secretary shall also inform the concerned authorities to suspend any deportation proceedings against the applicant for reasons like the absence of a travel document.

The secretary shall decide on the application within 30 days after the last date of the interview unless further inquiry is required.

Once the application is approved, the immigration commissioner may issue the person seeking refugee status or political asylum an alien certificate of registration for temporary visitors.

If the application is denied, authorities would have to assess whether he should be detained for violation of immigration laws.

Cohen, 38, said he had no other choice but to apply for refugee status and political asylum for him and his nine-year-old son as the French embassy has refused to renew his passport, which expires on May 19.

The French embassy also revoked his registration as a French citizen legally residing in the country, saying that an international warrant has been issued for his arrest without giving him any reason, he added.

In his 60-page application for refugee status and political asylum filed at the Department of Justice, Cohen said he is not a fugitive from justice, and that his continuous employment at an international organization would prove his good name.

Cohen cried of corruption, racial prejudice and administrative abuses, accusing French officials of being influenced to decide against him by the family of his ex-wife.

He and his former wife are engaged in a custody battle over their children, Cohen added.

This is the first time that a French citizen is seeking refugee status in the country. — Aurea Calica