More than 90 000 of us came together demanding protection for the people fleeing Ukraine. In March 2022 Europe’s interior ministers unanimously agreed to invoke a special law: the Temporary Protection Directive for the first time in history. This means that Ukrainian citizens and non-EU citizens living in Ukraine who are unable to safely return to their country of origin will get residence permits in EU countries. They will be able to work and have access to medical assistance. This is a monumental win for people on the move everywhere.

But, unless national governments decide otherwise, there are still some people who will be left behind - foreign students and temporary workers. That’s because not all refugees are treated equally. And it’s why we need to make sure Europe protects ALL people fleeing war.

93,996 of 125,000 signatures

To Interior Ministers of EU Member States

Petition

Urgently approve the Temporary Protection Directive and simplify the procedures of people fleeing war regardless of citizenship or skin colour. Procedures must be simplified to ensure that those at the border can enter without the need of a passport.

Why is this important?

Update - 15 March 2022

On 3rd March Europe’s interior ministers unanimously agreed to invoke the Temporary Protection Directive for the first time in history. Ukrainian citizens and non-EU citizens living in Ukraine who are unable to safely return to their country of origin will quickly get residence permits in EU countries. They will be able to work and have access to medical assistance. This is a monumental win for people on the move everywhere. But, unless national governments decide otherwise, there are still some people who will be left behind - foreign students and temporary workers. Moreover, this is a win on paper and it’s how EU countries take that paper, and turn it into practice that is key. We need to make sure Europe protects ALL people fleeing war.

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Tomorrow morning, EU interior ministers will decide on a common plan to support refugees arriving in the EU from Ukraine.

They could decide to activate a law never used before that will give asylum seekers the right to move freely in Europe, have the right to work and get access to accommodation and key services. [1]

Out of 27 ministers from our countries, we need 15 to vote in favour. It’s looking positive, we know there is a lot of support, but it’s far from a done deal.

More than 500,000 Ukrainians have fled their country since the Russian invasion started. [2] It’s not only Ukrainian citizens who are queueing to leave, but also foreign students, and people who previously received asylum in Ukraine. Europe must protect everyone regardless of citizenship or skin colour.

This means not only agreeing to give people the right to live and work in Europe but also removing barriers to actual entry, like the need for a passport. Many people have never travelled abroad and do not own a passport. They must also make sure people of colour and foreigners in Ukraine are not treated differently. [3]

References:

This law would be the Temporary Protection Directive, which is an exceptional measure to provide immediate and temporary protection to displaced persons from non-EU countries and those unable to return to their country of origin.
https://ec.europa.eu/home-affairs/policies/migration-and-asylum/common-european-asylum-system/temporary-protection_en https://www.politico.eu/article/ukraine-refugees-european-union-war-russia-temporary-protection-debate/
https://news.un.org/en/story/2022/02/1112872
https://www.infomigrants.net/en/post/38831/ukraine-eastern-eu-states-accused-of-discriminating-against-nonukrainian-refugees

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93,996

of 125,000 signatures

Recent comments

Clifford

I want to move back to Europe.

Kelvin

It depends on our lives because we need an improvement in this society and community. Blacks are also human

Abas

With the countries in the EU allowing us to stay, it allows people like me who are interested in the various culture time to get integrated into the system, work to make emds meet because we dont have anyone supporting us back home,socialize and further our education

Ishemunyoro

My friends that are third country nationals are still stuck and clinging on to the hopes of an uncertain future

Deborah

Equality for everyone regardless of colour and Nationality

Endurance

I am an international student studying in Ukraine. I have been in limbo. I'm currently seeking asylum as it's the only option that I have.

Pieter

Stop the autocratic threat on Ukraine end the whole of Europe!

Emma

Ukraine needs all the support they can get, and whole Europe is in danger now. It isn’t right what Putin is doing.

Tjeerd

Russia, go out of Ukraine and they should pay for the damage

Paul-Wilh.

Stop this war soon!

Ben

Putin must be stopped

jan pieter

Once in the time of the Cold War of that time witch started before en ended in the massacre of the 2e WO and al those who are suffering and are still suffering by fear and the history of more than 4 generations by a "simpel attack" and like the Vietnam War by using an accident are now threatened by a dictator of millions of Russian civilians and their so named by fraud president mr.P. Who started a war, not an special operation like he and his army and Secret Service did before in Georgie and suppressing and taking hostage and torture to death. Now he and his followers, army and believers torture to death the whole country of Ukraine and kill civilans until death likes normal. But it is not and will never be. Once in the so called Cold War I was in obliged military service. Two times at the borders of what now the country of Germany is. At about 10 km from us behind there were the rockets of the Americans and may be also of the French and Brittains. But they said.. Chiefs in Staff. Ther are no rockets and there are no nuclear power warheads. But for sure they liyed. The rocket came from in the Netherlands/ Steenwijk en Havelterberg. Everybody and me, who were in charge of the big.. chief and the "'secret special operation" that the rockets and nucelar warheads under American command knew that they were there. When you looked at the border of " Easter Germany" we saw the "'others"'. They could walk and eat, drink, talk like us. But the minefields kept us apart and the whole amy was waiting... for the big disaster. Looking over my shoulder I was afraid. When starts the war by warlords and their weapons like NUKES. Poetin and his followers are killing thousands and keep millions in hostage before killing. WAR must stop NOW. This WAR and elswhere on this small earth. Ukrainians need I full support without any doubt. BUT: there is always an but: Read Primo Levi first. If you can and will. He survived one of the thousands killing camps of the Nazis. Germany is a free not perfect democracy today. The people of Ukraine decided to be independ and to get in cooperation with their neigbours. But when the neighbour only kills, murdering civilians and destroy what the people and those who where in power now like Mr.Zelenski with his courage want we, The Others need to stand by and give all the support needed. BUT again: please read Primo Levi( Italian from birth) and his book. Title not translated: Is dit een mens?. Poeting lost, if he ever had it, his humanity. He is and his followers like the Hitler in his time.

Susanne

We are all equal! We are all important! We are all depending on each other! We are all someone's daughter or son! We are all someone's father or mother!

Anne

Because we have to help

Mary

No man is an island. We must stand together whoever wherever we are.

Esther

We are all human

Richard

All people are equal and deserve the same rights regardless of race, creed, or religion

Phillip

Anyone suffering in the world through such evil has the moral right to expect help from those who have the moral obligation to help

Alesandra

Ukrainians are fellow Europeans who deserve shelter and protection in this difficult time!

Philip

humanity must not be limited by origin or skin color!

Nikola

Save people from suffering and help them re-create their lives

Cristina

Colour, gender etc. should not matter

Peter

Role model for future policy for asylum seekers.

Jacinta

treat all refugees equaly please

Anass

because all people must be treated the same, foreign students and temporary workers must be granted the right to stay if they want. if they are still in Europe, it already means they have no where to return to in their home countries. Those who returned to their home countries already did by now.

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Update - 15 March 2022

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