Michael O’Flaherty, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, has voiced mounting concern over the “growing fatigue and intensifying discussions” regarding the cessation of emergency protection measures for Ukrainian refugees within the EU and across Europe. O’Flaherty, who served as Chief Commissioner of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission from 2011 to 2013, emphasized that a “slow and fragmented phase-out” of the European Union’s Temporary Protection Directive (TPD) could leave the most vulnerable populations exposed.
Implemented since March 2022, shortly after the onset of Russia’s large-scale invasion, the TPD has allowed Ukrainian citizens to live, work, and access healthcare in EU member states. This protection has been extended until March 2027. Nevertheless, the Commissioner highlighted a troubling rise in anti-Ukrainian sentiment, often exacerbated by populist politics, and cautioned that policy shifts in some countries have weakened protection and assistance. He underscored that without a robust national and coordinated European approach, Ukrainians might face dire choices.
O’Flaherty also pointed to the heightened Russian assaults on Ukrainian civilian infrastructure over the past year as a reason to ensure that future decisions about temporary protection align with the principle that international protection is only withdrawn when return is considered safe and sustainable. According to him, these conditions are not currently met, as no part of Ukraine is deemed safe. Data from the European Commission reveals that as of the end of March, 4.3 million Ukrainians were living in the EU under the temporary protection scheme.
Beginning in 2024, several EU member states, such as Ireland, Germany, Poland, and the Netherlands, have started scaling back financial support for Ukrainian refugees at different stages. Many countries are encouraging Ukrainian residents to join the labor market while financial assistance is being reduced. In Ireland, for instance, the government plans to phase out state-funded commercial accommodation for Ukrainian citizens who arrived before March 2024, starting this August over a six-month period. Currently, around 16,000 Ukrainians in Ireland reside in state-funded tourist or commercial accommodations.
Irish Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan recently stated that the government is exploring options to facilitate the return of Ukrainian citizens to Ukraine, although no specific repatriation payment has been announced. The proposal is yet to receive full government approval. Since March 2022, over 120,000 Ukrainian refugees have applied for temporary protection in Ireland, with about 84,000 residing in the country as of last February, according to CSO data. O’Flaherty urged EU member states to prevent a “protection gap” following the expiry of the current TPD in March 2027, advocating for long-term solutions to provide Ukrainians with greater certainty and alleviate trauma. The Council of Europe, established in 1949 and headquartered in Strasbourg, consists of 46 member states and oversees the European Convention on Human Rights through the European Court of Human Rights.