This Response to Information Request is an update to Response to Information Request of 16 February 1995.

In a telephone interview on 27 February 1995, the Chairperson of the Department of Social Sciences at the School of Slavonic and East European Studies at the University of London, who specializes in Russian politics, provided the following information. The Chairperson was unable to provide information on any fines imposed on shipowners when crew members jump ship. However, the Chairperson stated that due to the inadequacies of the legal system, it is now common for employers who believe themselves to have been harmed by employees to attempt to obtain redress themselves. The Chairperson stated that employers use means running from persuasion to threats of coercion and outright coercion.

For information pertaining to those who jump ship, please consult the attachment. The DIRB is currently unable to corroborate the information provided by these sources.

This response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

Chairperson of the Department of Social Sciences, School of Slavonic and East European Studies, University of London, England. 27 February 1995. Telephone interview.

International Organization for Migration, Moscow. 22 February 1995. Facsimile sent to the DIRB.