Joint statement: Extend the current Temporary Protection Regime for Displacement from Ukraine until 2025

ICMC Europe/Share Network and over 50 civil society organisations are co-signing a joint statement calling on the European Commission to prepare a proposal for a Council Implementation Decision on the extension of the TPD until March 2025 as a matter of urgency.

The activation of the Temporary Protection Directive (TPD) on 4 March 2022 stands as an unprecedented, prompt and efficient response to the displacement of millions of people fleeing the war in Ukraine. Triggered for an initial period of one year and then extended until 4 March 2024, the TPD provides a legal basis for the protection of almost 5 million people.

In light of the ongoing war and the related uncertainty experienced by current TP status holders, measures should be taken to extend their legal status to the full three years afforded by the TPD. In the absence of an initiative from the European Commission, the Swedish Presidency or a group of Member States should make an informal or formal request for the extension to be tabled as soon as possible.

Extended use of the TPD will help avoid a situation where Member States under pressure resort to forcible return or other coercive and restrictive measures. The TPD would support continued access to:

• Residence permits, which in most cases are tied to the validity of the currently active TP regime until March 2024 (or of even shorter duration);

• Long-term housing, which represents one of the key needs among the TP holders;

• Employment and education, which require registration at a given address and the validity of residence documents;

• Freedom of movement to and from Ukraine, afforded by the current TP regime.