France needs to improve the temporary protection mechanism for Ukrainians so that they can receive the necessary rights and assistance without having to apply for refugee status and without losing the option to return to Ukraine.
Nadia Solohub, chair of the “France–Ukraine” Friendship Group in the French Senate, spoke about this in an interview with Ukrinform.
“Ukrainians should be able to maintain their temporary protection status while receiving assistance for adults with disabilities, as well as other rights in the appropriate format. And this would not cost France any more. I also learned that forcing them to surrender their Ukrainian passports is illegal. The authorities have no reason to withhold passports, even if they have applied for asylum,” said Sologub, who is the author of a legislative initiative to improve the temporary protection mechanism for Ukrainians in France.
This initiative was adopted a year ago by the Senate, but it has not yet been considered by the second chamber of the French parliament—the National Assembly.
“No one cares. No one has yet figured out what exactly needs to be done. Ukrainians are beginning to apply for refugee status en masse. This simply inflates the application statistics but doesn’t help anyone. I have no conflict with any government officials, but there is no support either, at least not yet. But I continue to advocate for this issue,” she added.
