Michael O’Flaherty, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights and former Chief Commissioner of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission, has expressed increasing concern over the EU’s debate on ending emergency protection measures for Ukrainian refugees. He highlighted the “growing fatigue and intensifying discussions” regarding the phase-out of the EU’s Temporary Protection Directive (TPD), cautioning that a “slow and fragmented” withdrawal could put vulnerable refugees at risk. The EU has extended these protection measures until March 2027, allowing Ukrainian citizens to live, work, and access healthcare in member states since March 2022, following Russia’s full-scale invasion.
O’Flaherty emphasized that some countries have already altered policies, reducing protection and assistance for refugees. He noted a rise in anti-Ukrainian sentiment, often driven by populist politics. He warned that without strong national frameworks and a coordinated European strategy, many Ukrainians might face difficult decisions. He also pointed to the escalation of Russian attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure over the past year, arguing that temporary protection should only be withdrawn when return conditions are safe and stable, criteria that he believes are currently unmet in Ukraine.
According to the European Commission, 4.3 million Ukrainian citizens were under temporary protection in the EU by the end of March. Starting in 2024, countries like Ireland, Germany, Poland, and the Netherlands began cutting financial support for these refugees while helping them integrate into the labor market. In Ireland, the government decided to phase out state-funded commercial accommodation for Ukrainian refugees who arrived before March 2024, starting this August over six months. Currently, up to 16,000 Ukrainians in Ireland are housed in state-funded tourist or commercial settings.
Irish Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan recently confirmed the government is considering a plan to assist Ukrainian citizens wishing to return to Ukraine, though specifics about potential repatriation payments remain unannounced. The plan has yet to receive full governmental approval. Since March 2022, over 120,000 Ukrainian refugees have sought temporary protection in Ireland, with approximately 84,000 residing there as of February, according to the CSO.
O’Flaherty called for EU member states to prevent a “protection gap” when the TPD expires in March 2027, urging for long-term solutions that provide stability for Ukrainians to plan their futures. He stressed that millions are living in uncertainty, which only adds to their trauma. The Council of Europe, which includes 46 member states and is headquartered in Strasbourg, was established in 1949 and oversees the European Convention on Human Rights through the European Court of Human Rights.