War in Ukraine: The appeal regime in Greece and the troubled public – Financial Post
For the 28th day the Russian invasion of Ukraine with more than 3.5 million citizens leaving the country. Most of them have fled to neighboring countries, such as Poland, where so far more than 2 million refugees.
It is estimated that since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, about 15,000 refugees have crossed the Greek border.
Ukrainian refugees entering Greece have one year of temporary protection with the right to access the labor market and medical care. During this period, the Asylum Service will provide refugees with temporary protection for one year, with the right of access to the labor market and medical care.
But what happens if after 12 months these people continue to remain in Greece without the opportunity to return to their country which was dissolved by the Russian invasion?
The concerns
As the deputy director of the Hellenic Refugee Forum, Nikodimos Maina Kinyoua, explains to in.gr, this is something that concerns the Ukrainian community.
According to him, for the Ukrainians, an effort is being made at a level to give a special status, which has to do with the procedures that must be followed.
What is valid until today for refugees in Greece do not get the legal residence permit of an asylum seeker or a recognized refugee after AMKA and AFM in order to have access to medical care and services.
As Mr. Kinyua explains, the only case in which the refugee status decision is revoked is the country of origin being judged.
From the UN safe for return. That is, if it is judged that there are no longer reasons for which they have been granted asylum.
“Ukrainians, collectively, will all be recognized as a single mass, that is, it is not considered in the case of everyone’s application.”
This seems to be troubling the communities as it puts in the same status a resident of Ukraine, whose area in which he lived has suffered irreparable damage, with someone who lived in an area of the country that was practically untouched by the war.
“Will they be able to go back?”
That is, in the case, for example, that the next 12 months, where according to the existing decision that the residence permit has expired in the country, the refugees must return to Ukraine.
“What will the one from Mariupol who has been completely disbanded do? Can he come back? ” wonders Mr. Quinoa.
“What will also happen if Ukraine gives autonomy to these regions? This man should go back where? In a dilapidated area that has nowhere to stay and work? So the issue of asylum for one who is one way. “So the subsidiary protection regime that is being given now is problematic,” he explains.
According to Mr. Kinyoua, the Ukrainians who arrived in Greece after the start of the war should be recognized as refugees and have the same rights as refugees.
“The government is providing housing to Ukrainian refugees in the camps. Today, 15,000 Ukrainian refugees are in Greece. Can these people be accommodated in these structures? The government says it has 30,000 seats. What if we exceed this number? Can these people be financially supported by EU money or housed in rooms? “With the current regime, it is not possible,” he explains.
Widows and orphans
The images coming from the Ukrainian border are sad. Women with their children hugging across the border in search of safer destinations as they try to escape the bombings.
In Greece, it is estimated that about 800 Ukrainians enter the country daily, mostly women with their minor children.
Men aged 18-60 are not allowed to leave the country, having stayed behind to participate in the country’s defense.
“Think that women and children are coming to us. Men are left behind, which means they can be left widowed or orphaned. So what is the protection status of these people? “The EU does not answer us very clearly like our government, which although it loves ” normal refugees ” but on the other hand does not respond to the fears of these people,” Mr Kinoua said.
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