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We are compiling information on the situation in Ukraine, including a list of organisations providing advice to stateless people fleeing Ukraine.
The strength of solidarity shown across Europe - in particular in neighbouring countries - towards the people of Ukraine at this time of crisis is to be celebrated. Nevertheless, as more information emerges from what is a fast-moving situation on the ground, we now need to ensure no one is left behind, which includes those who are stateless or at risk of statelessness.
Access to protection for stateless people
The last census in Ukraine recorded 82,550 stateless people, and in 2021 UNHCR estimated there to be at least 35,000 stateless and people with ‘undetermined nationality’. Other sources suggest there could be many tens of thousands more, including a significant proportion of the Roma population as well as children born in Crimea, Luhansk and Donetsk since 2014.
Reports from our members working in Ukraine and the neighbouring countries suggest that stateless people fleeing the crisis may face additional barriers when seeking safety because of their lack of nationality or lack of civil documentation.
We’ve published three briefings based on the information collected from ENS members and partners working on the ground. The briefings also make a series of recommendations to the EU, European States, international agencies and NGOs.
Briefing 1: Identifying statelessness and access to protection
Briefing 2: Updated information and recommendations
Briefing 3: Protection gaps for stateless refugees from Ukraine
Open letter to EU Commissioner for Home Affairs
Country information for stateless people fleeing Ukraine
This series of briefings provides country-specific information for stateless people and those at risk of statelessness fleeing Ukraine.
These briefings are intended as a source of information for refugee response actors and affected individuals. The focus is on stateless people and people at risk of statelessness, including those who are undocumented. Links to more general information for refugees from Ukraine are provided throughout.
Austria
Belgium
Bulgaria
Czech Republic
Greece
Hungary
Ireland
Italy
Moldova
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Slovakia
Spain
United Kingdom
Advice and assistance for stateless people and those at risk of statelessness
Updated as of 22 May 2022
[Please get in touch if you would like us to add additional information.]
The European Network on Statelessness cannot provide legal advice to stateless people directly, but our members listed below work in Ukraine and its Western bordering countries and provide either free or paid legal advice. They will never report undocumented or stateless people to the authorities. We encourage you to contact them by phone or email to see if they can help you.
Europe
European Network on Statelessness
A lists of ENS members in different countries across Europe providing advice to stateless people.
https://www.statelessness.eu/legal-advice
ukraine.crisis@statelessness.eu
Statefree.world
A platform for stateless people with helpful information.
https://community.statefree.world/updates-news-stories-from-community-members-2/fleeing-from-ukraine-as-a-stateless-person-150
EU Agency for Asylum is running a survey for people fleeing the war in Ukraine. It will help EU+ countries to be better prepared & make tailored services available to stateless people, refugees and asylum seekers. The survey is available in English, Russian and Ukrainian. https://tellusyourstorysurvey.eu/index_lp.php
Hungary
Hungarian Helsinki Committee
The Hungarian Helsinki Committee provides legal information, assistance and representation to persons who are fleeing Ukraine and come to Hungary.
https://helsinki.hu/en/information-for-people-fleeing-from-ukraine/
ukrainecrisis@helsinki.hu
facebook.com/helsinkibizottsag
UNHCR Hungary
https://help.unhcr.org/hungary/
+373 22 271 853
hunbu@unhcr.org
Poland
Halina Nieć Legal Aid Center (HNLAC)
https://www.pomocprawna.org/en
+48 693 390 502 / +48 12 633 72 23
porady@pomocprawna.org
Association for Legal Intervention (Stowarzyszenie Interwencji Prawnej)
Siedmiogrodzka 5/51, Warsaw
porada@interwencjaprawna.pl
UNHCR Poland
https://help.unhcr.org/poland/
+48 22 628 6930
polwa@unhcr.org
Ukraine
Right2Protection (R2P) Право на захист
https://www.facebook.com/right2protection/
t.me/pravonazahyst
(099) 507 50 90, (068) 507 50 90, (093) 507 50 90
+380 44 337 1762
International Foundation for Health and Environmental Protection “Region Karpat” (NEEKA)
http://new.neeka.org/
info@neeka.org
https://www.facebook.com/neekaukraine
+380 3131 32122
NGO The Tenth of April
https://dk.od.ua
https://t.me/TTA_hotline_web
stateless@dk.od.ua
https://www.facebook.com/dkoduka
0 800 33 28 58, +380 93 506 59 96
Moldova
Law Center of Advocates
https://cda.md/
КРАТКИЙ СПРАВОЧНИК ДЛЯ БЕЖЕНЦЕВ/ОК ИЗ УКРАИНЫ В МОЛДОВЕ - CDA
Statelessness hotline: +37369906400
Asylum hotline: +37368828180
Romania
JRS Romania
https://www.jrsromania.org/asistenta-ucraina
0040732129236
stefan.leonescu.jrsro@gmail.com
UNHCR
https://help.unhcr.org/romania/
+40 723 653 651
rombu@unhcr.org
Slovakia
Human Rights League
https://www.hrl.sk/en
https://www.ukraineslovakia.sk/
+421 2 534 10 182 / +421 918 682 457
hrl@hrl.sk
UNHCR Slovakia
https://help.unhcr.org/slovakia/
+36 1 336 3060
We would like to thank our partner Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer for its legal research and commitment.
Photo: Matt Brown, FLICKR - Creative Commons