On Friday 4 March, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) welcomed “the unprecedented decision by the EU to offer temporary protection to refugees fleeing Ukraine”.
“This decision also means that EU Member States can offer temporary protection to third country nationals legally residing in Ukraine who cannot return home, as well as to stateless persons”.
For its part, the NGO Oxfam spoke of a “turning point”. “The importance of this moment for Europe cannot be underestimated. The Commission’s proposal offers a direct lifeline to people fleeing danger in Ukraine. It would allow for a solidarity mechanism that requires all EU countries to share responsibility for their reception”, which the NGO notes was lacking in 2015.
In the European Parliament, reactions were positive, but the Greens/EFA group expressed concern that governments might give them other protection.
“Granting temporary protection to a very large number of people, including those with refugee or equivalent status in Ukraine, is obviously the right decision. However, it is regrettable that it does not oblige Member States to grant temporary protection status to other third country nationals, including various rights and protections”, commented Frenchman Damien Carême. (Original version in French by Solenn Paulic)