‘We are now facing the largest humanitarian crisis since World War II. Today, the Norwegian Government has decided to follow the EU's lead and offer temporary collective protection to Ukrainian citizens. This means that displaced Ukrainians will not have to undergo a time-consuming process of having their cases reviewed individually, and we can help them faster,’ says Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.
An asylum seeker’s right to protection is normally assessed individually. The decision to offer Ukrainians temporary collective protection is an exemption from the rule of individual assessment, and allows protection of an entire group of people. The last time this was done was during the Kosovo conflict in the late 1990s.
‘Temporary collective protection does not constitute grounds for a permanent residence permit. Ukrainians who come to Norway now will initially be granted a residence permit for up to one year,’ says Minister of Justice and Public Security Emilie Enger Mehl.
The collective protection scheme in Norway will be coordinated with other countries in Europe. The Norwegian Government will provide more details of this scheme shortly.
About 300 Ukrainians have already arrived in Norway, and the Norwegian Government expects this number to rise dramatically. According to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, one million Ukrainians have already fled from their home country.
‘We are prepared to offer protection and help to people fleeing acts of war in Ukraine. This will be provided in close collaboration with other countries in Europe. The Norwegian Directorate of Immigration will now be tasked with establishing more places in reception centres. It has been asked to be ready to increase the number of places further, if required,’ says Ms Mehl.