The Czech Republic is set to devise a dedicated initiative to facilitate the voluntary repatriation of refugees to Ukraine. This program will encompass support provisions and partial expense coverage. The government will outline the specifics of this aid, allocate resources accordingly, and subsequently initiate the project. In conjunction with this, the amendment to the Lex Ukrajina legislation also stipulates the extension of temporary refuge for refugees by an additional year, extending until the conclusion of March 2025.
The Interior Ministry has reported that as of the previous week’s conclusion, there were 360,900 refugees from Ukraine possessing temporary visas in the Czech Republic, predominantly women and children.
The authors of the amendment have highlighted the need to address the escalating requests from foreigners for assistance in returning to Ukraine. They acknowledge that while the situation in Ukraine remains largely unsatisfactory, it is prudent to extend help to those expressing the wish to return.
Accompanying documents emphasize that prevailing circumstances do not indicate an imminent end to the conflict and the feasibility of refugees’ return to their homeland.
Extension of the Potential Stay Period for Ukrainian Refugees
Existing regulations on voluntary return are already governed by foreigner-related laws. The Ministry of the Interior will cover the costs of bus or airfare, and personnel will assist with administrative procedures.
The Ministry of Interior has indicated that the existing general guidelines lack flexibility, prompting the development of a specialized program. The government will define the scope of state support for war-affected refugees opting for voluntary repatriation, alongside allocation of funds for this purpose. Applicants will be able to request support for voluntary return, and the Interior Ministry will subsidize a portion of the expenses.
This assistance will be a one-time provision. If the returning individuals later seek a long-term visa within a designated timeframe, they must repay half of the provided aid before their application for residence is considered. Failure to return the sum will render the residence permit application ineligible.
Survey Results and International Perspective
A survey conducted by PAQ Research in collaboration with sociologists from the Academy of Sciences revealed that, as of June, a quarter of refugees expressed a definite inclination to return to their homeland, marking a decrease from the one-third reported a year prior. Half of the respondents expressed a clear desire to remain abroad.
In June, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) issued a statement asserting that the humanitarian need for assistance in Ukraine remains substantial. Despite reconstruction efforts, a comprehensive return of individuals remains challenging.
The UNHCR recommended host nations not to compel refugees to return, but rather allow for facilitated journeys without withdrawal of protection. Such visits could aid in the decision-making process.
Humanitarian organizations claim that numerous refugees are contemplating return due to alterations in financial support introduced in July, which have made living on the current assistance challenging. Labor Minister Marian Jurečka (KDU-ČSL) refutes this assertion, contending that these changes have actually enhanced the refugees’ activity and employment rates.
Source: novinky.cz
