Ukraine Councils no longer want S status for all Ukrainian refugees

In future, Parliament no longer wants to grant S status to all people seeking protection from Ukraine, but only to people from areas occupied or contested by Russia. On Monday, the National Council partially approved a motion from the Council of States.

The National Council adopted the corresponding point from the multi-part motion by Esther Friedli (SVP/SG) from the Council of States by 96 votes to 87, with five abstentions. According to the motion, a distinction should be made in granting S status as to where in Ukraine those seeking protection lived before fleeing.

Protection should only be granted to those who lived in contested areas or areas of Ukraine that were fully or partially occupied by Russia. Those who have lived in an area under Ukrainian control where there is no fighting should no longer be granted S status.

A narrow majority of the National Council's Political Institutions Committee (SPK-N) voted against the motion. Justice Minister Beat Jans had also called in vain for a no vote.

The Council rejected the motion's demand that S status be revoked for people from areas under Ukrainian control. It also said no to revoking S status for non-Ukrainians.

SDA