On 15 June conference titled “Political rights of internally displaced persons in Ukraine”, international experts, Ukrainian politicians and non-governmental organizations protecting the rights of IDPs discussed political rights of IDPs.
International experts, MPs of Ukraine, representatives of the Ministry of Temporarily Occupied Territories and IDPs Affairs, of the CEC, NGOs and IDPs participated in this five-panel discussion.
Hannah Roberts, international expert on IDPs political rights from IFES, who is also an independent governance consultant since 1999, shared her international experience in securing electoral rights of IDPs.
The following participants discussed the situation in Ukraine, government policy concerning integration and rights of IDPs, campaign to protect the rights of IDPs, legislative framework, modeling and organization of elections: Deputy Minister of Temporarily Occupied Territories and IDPs Affairs Heorhii Tuka, representatives of the Verkhovna Rada Commissioner for Human Rights Mykhailo Chaplyha, Civil Network OPORA's expert Oleksandr Kliuzhev, Deputy Head of the CEC Andrii Mahera, Project Coordinator of the Human Rights Information Center Liudmyla Yankina, expert in IDPs affairs at the Institute for Social and Economic Studies and Executive Director of the Donetsk Oblast Office of the Committee of Voters of Ukraine Tetiana Durnieva, Coordinator of the Vostok SOS charitable foundation Oleksandra Dvoretska, Coordinator of the Crimea SOS NGO Tamila Tasheva, Donbass SOS NGO Olha Hvozdova, legal analyst of the Right for Protection All-Ukrainian Charitable Foundation Olena Vynohradova, Member of the Venice Commission in 2009-2013, VEnice Commission Expert, Head of the Democracy through Law organization Maryna Stavniichuk and MPs of Ukraine Nataliia Veselova and Oleksandr Chernenko.
OPORA's analyst Oleksandr Kliuzhev spoke on efficient ways to guarantee political (electoral) rights of internally displaced persons. According to the expert, acknowledging the alternatives for the future of IDPs would be the first step towards solution of all problems this groups of citizens face. These alternatives would be complete integration in new communities, comeback home, or further relocation in peaceful part of the country, and they all should be guaranteed by the government both legislatively and practically.
Principles for solution of problems with political rights of IDPs:
- comprehensive approach – solution of problems with political rights for all categories of citizens (including migrant workers);
- recognition of the special status of IDPs – prompt solution of problems with access to political rights, prevention of indirect discrimination;
- alternative mechanisms of guaranteeing the rights (according to the UN Guiding Principles).
Besides that, Oleksandr Kliuzhev suggested some solutions for the problem: to adapt the citizen registration system regularly; allow everyone to change their electoral address; introduce urgent/temporary procedures for IDPs.
Organizers: International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES), Donetsk Oblast Office of the Committee of Voters of Ukraine All-Ukrainian NGO, Civil Network OPORA. Financial assistance was provided by the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Global Affairs Canada.