RIGHTS OF REFUGEES AND MIGRANTS

The head of the Chernihiv Public Committee for the Protection of Human Rights, Nataliya Romanova, published data on the monitoring carried out by the committee on this issue in the Chernihiv region and in Ukraine. Relevant statistical data was published and the need to solve the problem of arranging premises for asylum seekers, as well as the problem of illegal immigrants staying in reception centers, was emphasized. The issue of the legality of staying in this institution caused a lively discussion between human rights activists and representatives of state institutions. The discussion plan discussed changes to Art. 9 of the Law of Ukraine “On Refugees”, namely the interpretation of the term “without delay” regarding the asylum seeker’s application to the migration service with an application for refugee status. Coordinator of the Vinnytsia Human Rights Group Dmytro Groysman revealed the topic of the seminar in terms of the correlation of international and national legislation in matters of refugee rights protection and shared his experience of representation in courts in cases related to the violation of such rights. Deputy Head of the Department of Citizenship and Registration of Individuals of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Chernihiv Region V.V. Magdich published statistical data on foreigners who are in the territory of the Chernihiv Region. Head of the Migration Service in the Chernihiv Region V.G. Pishchur spoke about the main areas of work with asylum seekers and refugees. Representative of the KhIAS Yuriy Hudym spoke about the practice of Kyiv courts regarding decisions in cases related to refugees and migrants.

The heated discussions that arose during this seminar demonstrated the need to improve the legislation on refugees. Changes in the territorial jurisdiction of such cases that arose in connection with the implementation of the Code of Administrative Procedure made this topic relevant for many local courts of the Chernihiv region.