Millions of Ukrainians who have found refuge in the EU may face violations of their rights. Find out which institutions and organizations can help protect your interests abroad and how to act in different situations

Legal assistance for Ukrainians in Ukraine and abroad

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Following russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, millions of Ukrainians have sought refuge in the European Union. However, like any migrants, Ukrainians may face violations of their rights - at work, in dealing with law enforcement, or when receiving social services. The main institutions and mechanisms for protecting the rights of Ukrainians in the EU are described below.

Consular protection: the first line of assistance abroad

Every citizen of Ukraine abroad has the right to consular protection through diplomatic missions - consulates and embassies. These institutions not only issue passports and notarize documents, but also provide:

● legal assistance in case of detention or arrest

● protection of rights in accordance with local laws and international agreements.

If your rights are violated, the consulate can:

● provide legal advice

● provide communication with lawyers

● organize communication with local authorities

● help with defense in courts.

You can find the contacts of the nearest consulate on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine or in the consular sections of embassies in your country of residence.

Interaction with law enforcement agencies of the host country

EU law enforcement agencies are obliged to ensure the safety of all persons on their territory, regardless of citizenship. Ukrainians under temporary protection or with refugee status, as well as migrants, have the same rights as local citizens. Therefore, if you are faced with fraud, violence, discrimination or other crimes or violations of your rights, you can contact the local police.

When you contact the police, you can expect to:

● Receiving a report of an offense,

● conducting an investigation

● protection from violence, discrimination or exploitation

● assistance in labor disputes.

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The European Court of Human Rights: when national protection fails

The ECHR considers complaints about violations of the rights enshrined in the European Convention on Human Rights. You can apply to the court only if:

● all national remedies have been exhausted,

● the rights guaranteed by the Convention (right to life, fair trial, prohibition of torture, etc.) have been violated.

Please note! A complaint can be filed provided that 6 months have not passed since the final decision of the national authorities. At the same time, cases that do not relate to the provisions of the Convention will not be considered.

Support from civic and trade union organizations

NGOs and trade unions provide significant assistance to Ukrainians. They specialize in:

● protection of labor rights

● combating discrimination

● providing legal support

● representation in courts.

Trade unions are especially useful for employed Ukrainians - they help resolve conflicts with employers, protect against illegal dismissals and non-payment of wages.

You can turn to any of the assisting organizations. Among the most well-known NGOs that can provide both advice and humanitarian aid are: Caritas, the Red Cross and Amnesty International.

Legal assistance on migration issues for Ukrainians in the EU

If you need legal assistance with migration, visa or other issues, we advise you to contact Visit Ukraine lawyers. Our experienced specialists will help with explanations of legal aspects, preparation of necessary documents, as well as solving other urgent issues that may arise for Ukrainians abroad. Request a professional legal consultation on your situation by following this link and find out about all possible ways to solve the problem and protect your rights.

We remind you! Migration trends among Ukrainians, in particular with the aim of changing the country of temporary protection, are increasing, as the conditions of stay and financial assistance are changing. Read which countries will grant repeated temporary protection in 2024 and what is needed to move in our previous article.

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