Legal assistance to internally displaced persons and military personnel in the Chernihiv region

In connection with the temporary occupation of part of the territory of Ukraine, the conduct of an anti-terrorist operation, as well as a sharp increase in the number of internally displaced persons from the east of the country, the Chernihiv Public Committee for the Protection of Human Rights begins to provide free legal assistance to internally displaced persons, as well as military personnel and members of their families who are in the territory of the Chernihiv region.

On July 22, the Verkhovna Rada supported the Decree of the President of Ukraine on the next wave of partial mobilization. Even earlier, the Verkhovna Rada adopted Resolution No. 4519 “On Additional Measures to Strengthen the Defense Capability of Ukraine in Connection with the Aggression of the Russian Federation”, which effectively renews conscription to the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Based on this, there is a need to strengthen legal protection and awareness of the rights guaranteed by the current legislation of Ukraine for mobilized citizens and their family members.

At the same time, according to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), there has recently been a significant increase in internal displacement in Ukraine in connection with the annexation of Crimea and clashes in Eastern Ukraine. According to UNHCR estimates, as of July 18, 2014, 95,473 people were forced to leave their homes, of which 15,134 citizens left Crimea, the remaining 80,339 displaced persons are residents of Donetsk and Luhansk regions.

As of July 22, 2014, a total of 1,263 displaced citizens were registered in Chernihiv Oblast, of which 854 were IDPs from Eastern Ukraine and 409 were from Crimea.

It is noteworthy that over the past week, the number of displaced persons in Chernihiv Oblast has increased by almost 100 people.

For the first time, Ukrainian state bodies have faced the problem of internally displaced persons. Naturally, it was not easy to immediately establish effective work with temporarily displaced persons, and the help and support of non-governmental organizations and activists remains extremely important in this matter. Volunteers have taken on many issues of material, social and medical support. However, in addition to this, internally displaced persons need legal assistance – on issues of registration (renewal) of documents, registration, long-term housing, employment, receiving social and pension payments, placement in preschool and school institutions, etc. That is why one of the priorities of human rights defenders is currently providing free legal assistance to temporarily displaced persons, military personnel and their family members.

Free legal assistance will be available at

Chernihiv Public Committee for the Protection of Human Rights

at 57/1 Gorkogo St., Chernihiv, 14000; legal assistance hotline:


(0462) 612-532


.

In addition, by prior arrangement, representatives of the Chernihiv Regional State Administration and the Regional Military Commissariat will redirect displaced persons and military personnel in need of legal assistance to the organization’s office. In order to reach as many internally displaced persons as possible with legal assistance, the organization’s lawyers will prepare a Memorandum with legal advice and necessary contacts, which will be distributed among representatives of target groups and authorities.