E/CN.4/2000/16 page 38 relationships in France, persons whose state of health requires medical care which they cannot obtain in their own countries and persons to whom the right of asylum has been granted. 159. As regards asylum, the law officially recognizes two types: (a) It permits the granting of asylum, under the same conditions as the Geneva Convention of 21 July 1951, to any person persecuted on account of his or her activities to promote freedom, even if those persecutions are not inflicted by a State; (b) It provides for territorial asylum, which may be granted by the Minister of the Interior to persons whose lives or freedom is threatened in their own countries, or who are exposed to treatment contrary to article 3 of the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms. 2. Grant of entry visas into France for “people from the South” 160. On this point the French Government states that the general conditions for the issue of visas - both those permitting an extended stay in France and those issued for stays of less than three months in accordance with the Schengen agreements - have been relaxed. This relaxation is the outcome of a firm political determination to facilitate the movement and residence of foreigners in France, and particularly foreigners who have a connection with the country. The new regulations apply to all visa applicants, irrespective of nationality. The principal beneficiaries are nationals of countries of the South, with which France has traditionally had close relations. 161. As regards visas for periods of less than three months, persons who have to come to France frequently can obtain multi-entry visas valid for between one and five years and allowing them to reside in the country for up to three months in any half-year. Applications have also been facilitated by the replacement of the lodging certificate by an accommodation certificate, which is issued without any verification of the conditions under which the applicant will be accommodated. 162. As regards visas for medical care, France’s policy is one of admitting persons who cannot obtain care in their countries of origin and have been accepted by a hospital in France. However, the admission of such persons must not give rise to any charge on the budget of the French Government. They are therefore requested either to prove that the cost of the care will be borne by an insurance scheme or some other body or to produce a certificate of prior deposit of the anticipated amount of the cost of hospitalization. 163. As regards the particular case of Algerian nationals, the French Government has just publicly stated its intention to increase the number of entry visas into France from 60,000 to 150,000 - and possibly 200,000 - annually.