Chairperson of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Human Rights, National Minorities and Interethnic Relations Hryhorii Nemyria states that the observance of the rights and freedoms of internally displaced persons is the issue of the national security of Ukraine.
"There are 1.5 million internally displaced persons in Ukraine now. The number is dramatic. That is a challenge for the whole Ukraine, and it's not just a regional issue. Observance of rights and freedoms of internally displaced persons is the issue of national security of Ukraine and it is our duty to tackle it," he said at the press conference on the adoption of the draft law No. 2166 "On amendments to some Laws of Ukraine" (as to enhancement of guarantees of protection of internally displaced persons' rights and freedoms).
Reference information: the draft law No. 2166, which offers important amendments to the Law of Ukraine "On observance of rights and freedoms of internally displaced persons," was adopted by the Ukrainian Parliament in first reading and has not been put for voting in second reading for already over six months.
Hryhorii Nemyria stated that the Committee had thrice addressed the leadership of the Ukrainian Parliament demanding launch of the draft law's consideration in second reading.
"We were told the draft law had nothing to do with the reforms. That has lasted for almost six months. Eventually this plenary week it appeared on the agenda. I hope it will be supported by representatives of all factions and groups," he said.
In turn, First Deputy Chairperson of the Committee and one of the co-authors of the draft law No. 2166 Valerii Patskan also expressed hope that the document would be adopted by the Parliament and noted that the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Human Rights, National Minorities and Interethnic Relations was ready to facilitate settlement of internally displaced persons' problems.
According to the expert of the all-Ukrainian charity foundation Right to Protection Olena Vynohradova, the draft law No. 2166 bring the Law of Ukraine "On internally displaced persons" in line with the fundamental principles of the United Nations touching movement of persons inside the country and simplifies the procedure of registration of internally displaced persons. Besides, in her words the draft law enhances guarantees of observance of rights and freedoms of internally displaced persons.
"This draft law would not tackle all the problems of the migrants, however, it will protect the rights and freedoms of that category of Ukrainian citizens. We call on people's deputies to support this initiative," said coordinator of the KrymSOs civil initiative Tamila Tasheva and expert of the East-SOS organization Oleksandra Dvoretska.