Deputy Representative of the United Transitional Cabinet for Social Policy Anastasiya Makhamet addressed a meeting of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine’s temporary investigative commission on possible violations of defence and anti-corruption legislation and the observance of human rights and freedoms during martial law.
The July 13 meeting also discussed the problems faced by Belarusian volunteers, their families and other Belarusian citizens in Ukraine. Marya Animiya, a volunteer and representative of the BYSOL Foundation in Ukraine, also took part.
Following the hearings, commission representatives asked for written proposals on amendments to legislation and subordinate regulations to be prepared, saying they were ready to work on them jointly with the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, the State Migration Service and the National Bank of Ukraine and, if necessary, initiate relevant legislative changes.
The speakers outlined systemic problems faced by Belarusian volunteers, their families and other Belarusian citizens in Ukraine and proposed ways to address them in several areas.
One of the issues was the possibility of obtaining legal status for Belarusian citizens who cannot safely obtain or renew Belarusian passports because of the risk of political persecution. Improvements to existing legalisation mechanisms were also discussed.
On legalisation and migration status, proposals were made to improve legalisation mechanisms for Belarusians who cannot safely obtain or renew Belarusian passports, including by amending Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No. 141. The possibility of legally residing and obtaining documents without contacting Belarusian state authorities in cases where doing so creates a risk of political persecution was also raised.
In the area of social protection, particular attention was paid to the need to amend Cabinet of Ministers resolutions No. 884 and No. 168 so that Belarusian citizens do not lose their entitlement to social benefits solely because of their citizenship. Payments to the families of missing and deceased Belarusian volunteers were also discussed.
Participants in the hearings highlighted the need to lift restrictions that prevent many Belarusian citizens from opening bank accounts and, as a result, obtaining formal employment in Ukraine.
Problems related to requirements for criminal record certificates and the inability to renew Belarusian passports without risking political persecution were also discussed separately. It was stressed that these procedures require specific legal solutions.
Makhamet also highlighted legal inequality affecting Belarusian women married to Ukrainian citizens. Under current rules, certain legalisation mechanisms apply to the wives of military personnel but do not cover Belarusian women whose husbands are civilian Ukrainian citizens. It was noted that the proposed changes should take into account the needs not only of military families but also of other Belarusian citizens who cannot safely renew their passports and therefore risk losing their legal status in Ukraine, the United Transitional Cabinet’s press service reported.
