The Czech Republic has extended its hospitality to Ukrainian refugees amidst the conflict but maintains that it will not aid Ukrainian men in circumventing their military duties as per the law, said Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky on May 2.
The Ukrainian government mandates that men between 18 to 60 years of age remain in the country as long as martial law persists during the ongoing war.
On April 23, the Foreign Ministry made public that, due to new mobilization legislation, Ukraine was halting the processing of consular requests for military-age males abroad temporarily.
The subsequent day, it was further declared by the government that the overseas dispatch of identification and passports for Ukrainian men of 18 to 60 years was prohibited.
According to Czech Interior Ministry data, there are currently 94,643 men aged 18 to 65 in Czechia who have received temporary protection due to the full-scale invasion by Russia.
“I acknowledge the challenge we face with the return of Ukrainian men eligible for draft,” Lipavsky remarked in a discussion with Czech news organization Novinky.
“The Czech Republic has a longstanding tradition of aiding Ukrainian refugees and we welcome them with open arms. However, this does not extend to those who seek to evade their legal responsibilities.”
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While Czechia lacks the legal provision for forcibly returning Ukrainian men of draft age who have been granted protection, Ukraine could issue a call-to-arms followed by an extradition request for those who disobey the call and breach Ukrainian laws, reported Novinky, quoting international law specialist Vera Honuskova.
As Czech Foreign Police Service Directorate spokesman Josef Urban highlights, the issuance of passports serves as a mechanism to recall to Ukraine men required on the military register.
Under protection status in Czechia, every Ukrainian must provide a valid travel document for identification, Urban emphasizes, with failure to do so possibly leading to a fine of 5,000 Czech korunas ($215) and proceedings towards deportation.
Both Poland and Lithuania have expressed their intention to assist Ukraine in repatriating its draft-eligible men, but no concrete measures have been disclosed as of yet.
Other nations, like Germany and Estonia, have committed to allowing Ukrainian refugees to receive temporary residency permits and to renew expired ones even when valid passports are lacking.
FAQ Section
Q1: Can Ukrainian men between 18 to 60 years of age leave Ukraine currently?
A1: Under the martial law during the ongoing war, Ukrainian men aged 18 to 60 are generally prohibited from leaving the country.
Q2: What is Czechia’s stance on Ukrainian men trying to avoid military service?
A2: The Czech Republic will not support Ukrainian men who are trying to evade their military obligations as per Ukrainian law.
Q3: What action can be taken against Ukrainian refugees who fail to provide valid travel documents in Czechia?
A3: Ukrainian refugees in Czechia must provide a valid travel document. If they don’t, they could face a fine or even deportation procedures.
Q4: Is the Czech Republic legally able to force the return of draft-aged Ukrainian men?
A4: Czechia does not have the legal means to enforce the return of these individuals, but Ukraine can potentially request extradition for those who violate Ukrainian law.
Conclusion
The position of the Czech Republic regarding Ukrainian refugees is one of compassion and support for those fleeing the conflict, but with a firm stance on respecting legal obligations. The country echoes the sentiment of cooperation and adherence to international law while also ensuring that those seeking refuge are not using it as a means to evade responsibilities they hold in their home country. As the situation continues to unfold, Czechia and other neighboring countries work to balance humanitarian aid with the rule of law. It’s a complex landscape requiring ongoing dialogues and careful consideration of ethics, legality, and the human condition amidst the turmoil of war.
Note: We at TheUBJ do not create the news content included here. The content is curated through AI news feed technology, sourced from a variety of internet platforms, and we do not claim ownership or authorship of the original news content. For reference, the original article from https://kyivindependent.com/czech-fm-on-ukrainian-draft-aged-men/ is linked.