The state of securing rights of national minorities in Zakarpattya Oblast and practice of implementing Ukraine’s legislation on refugees and persons requiring additional or temporary protection in the western border regions of the state were discussed during the visiting meeting of the Committee on Human Rights, National Minorities and International Relations
10 October 2013, 12:18
Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Ruslan Koshulynskyi participated in the meeting.
The issue of restoring the rights of persons displaced (deported) from the territory of Zakarpattya Oblast on grounds of nationality were also discussed.
The Committee Chair noted that Zakarpattya Oblast has gained considerable experience in the sphere of harmonization of inter-ethnic relations and implementation of state policy in the sphere of securing rights and freedoms of national minorities.
V.Patskan stressed that there is a long-standing need to improve the regulatory framework in the sphere of international relations and securing the rights of national minorities
V.Patskan drew attention to the fact that the issue of adaptation and integration of the Romanian minority into the Ukrainian society also needs to be addressed.
The Committee Chair noted that the Verkhovna Rada has adopted the Law “On Refugees and Persons Requiring Additional or Temporary Protection” on July 8, 2011 that establishes basic guarantees of the rights of refugees and persons requiring additional protection.
According to the people’s deputy, in 2012 the Law “On amendments to several legislative acts of Ukraine on refugees and persons requiring additional or temporary protection” was adopted. This Law stipulates placement of children separated from their families only to social and rehabilitation centers (children’s villages).
“Thus, since 2011 we have in fact the new legislatively written model of providing asylum and protection for foreigners who require this in Ukraine,” summed up V.Patskan.
In the framework of the meeting, the people’s deputies visited Uzhgorod National University, Cultural Centre of national minorities of Zakarpattya in Uzhgorod, Ferenc Rakoczi II Transcarpathian Hungarian Institute, temporary accommodation centre for refugees in Zakarpattya Oblast (Mukacheve City), places of compact residence of members of the Roma national minority in Berehove City.
The Committee members granted a hearing to information of the Ministries, specialized executive authorities, and local self-government authorities.
Following the results of the discussion, the people’s deputies adopted the decision to address the Cabinet of Ministers with proposals on improving the legislation on national minorities and state ethnic and national policy, and also issues on refugees and persons in need of additional or temporary protection.