Michael O’Flaherty, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, has expressed growing concerns over the increasing discussions and fatigue in the European Union (EU) regarding the cessation of emergency protection measures for Ukrainian refugees. Highlighting the potential consequences of a “slow and fragmented phase-out” of the EU’s Temporary Protection Directive (TPD), O’Flaherty warned that such actions could leave vulnerable individuals exposed. The EU has extended the TPD for Ukrainian refugees until March 2027, a mechanism that has allowed Ukrainians to live, work, and access healthcare across member states since March 2022, following Russia’s large-scale invasion.
O’Flaherty’s statement underscores the importance of maintaining robust national frameworks and a coordinated European approach, cautioning that without these, countless Ukrainians could face dire decisions. He pointed out that recent policy changes in some countries have weakened protection and assistance for refugees and raised concerns about rising anti-Ukrainian sentiment, which he attributes partly to populist politics. He also emphasized that any future decisions on temporary protection should be based on the principle of safe and durable return, conditions that he asserts are not currently met, given the increased Russian attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure.
Data from the European Commission reveals that by the end of March, 4.3 million Ukrainian citizens were residing in the EU under temporary protection. However, starting in 2024, nations including Ireland, Germany, Poland, and the Netherlands began reducing financial aid for these refugees at varying stages, while encouraging Ukrainian residents to enter the labor market. In Ireland, the government decided to phase out state-funded commercial accommodation for Ukrainians who arrived before March 2024, starting in August and spanning six months. As it stands, approximately 16,000 Ukrainians in Ireland are housed in state-funded tourist or commercial accommodations.
Furthermore, Ireland’s Minister for Justice, Jim O’Callaghan, mentioned the government’s contemplation of a mechanism to assist Ukrainian citizens wishing to return to Ukraine, though specific details about potential repatriation payments remain undeclared. This plan has yet to receive full governmental approval. Since March 2022, over 120,000 Ukrainian refugees have sought temporary protection in Ireland, with about 84,000 residing in the country as of last February, according to data from the Central Statistics Office.
O’Flaherty’s statement concluded with a call for long-term solutions to prevent a “protection gap” after the TPD expires in 2027. He stressed the necessity for such measures to help Ukrainians plan their futures and alleviate the uncertainty that exacerbates their trauma. The Council of Europe, which consists of 46 member states and is based in Strasbourg, oversees the European Court of Human Rights and the European Convention on Human Rights, having been established in 1949.