The Estonian Human Rights Centre encourages Ukrainian citizens whose residence permit application or extension request has not been examined to contact the Centre’s legal team for advice and assistance. The broader aim of this call is to draw attention to the practice of the Police and Border Guard Board, which undermines the foundations of the rule of law in Estonia.
In recent months, several Ukrainian men have approached the Human Rights Centre after facing unexpected difficulties when applying for or renewing a residence permit in Estonia. The Police and Border Guard Board has been demanding documents – primarily a military ID or proof of exemption from military service – citing national security concerns. However, the Centre’s lawyers argue that this requirement is not in line with the law.
“A Ukrainian citizen’s participation or non-participation in Ukraine’s military service does not, in itself, justify the conclusion that the person poses a security threat to Estonia. Requiring Ukrainian citizens to travel to a country at war to obtain a document that is not necessary for the residence permit procedure is difficult to see as anything other than administrative harassment,” says Nora Kurik, the Centre’s refugee law expert. In two instances, courts have already indicated agreement with the Centre’s position and recommended that the Police and Border Guard Board reach a compromise.
The Human Rights Centre calls on all Ukrainian men whose residence permit or extension application was dismissed due to the absence of a military ID or proof of exemption to contact our legal team. We stand together for an Estonia where laws apply to everyone – including the Police and Border Guard Board.
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NB! Legal counselling at the Human Rights Centre is free of charge.
If you know a Ukrainian citizen whose residence permit was not extended or whose application was dismissed because they lack a military ID or exemption proof, please encourage them to contact asylum@humanrights.ee for support and guidance.
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