18-11-2013

The chief of State Border Service of Ukraine met the General of the Army of Ukraine, Mykola Lytvyn and chief of Border Police Department of Republic of Moldova, Dorin Puritche. The meeting took place in the city of Odessa. In the course of the meeting the parties examined the aspects of joint activity as to the security of Ukrainian-Moldavian border and discussed the perspectives of further cooperation. Also, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine in Republic of Moldova, Sergiy Pyrozhkov participated in the meeting, who marked a high level in cooperation between border departments of both countries.

The parties stated high efficiency in interaction of border departments at all directions. Such progress permits to implement operatively the current tasks, effectively counteract to trans-border criminal grouping, not to admit violation in the regimen of the state border.

Besides, the chiefs of border departments of Ukraine and Moldova discussed the perspectives of equipping the contact points at Ukrainian-Moldavian border, further development of cooperation during the realization of joint control at the check points and exchange with statistic and analytic information.

Summing up, Mykola Lytvyb and Dorin Puriche signed up Plan of Interaction Development between State Border Service of Ukraine and Border Police Department of Republic of Moldova for 2014, which included all joint initiatives.

Source: http://dpsu.gov.ua/ua/about/news/news_2796.htm

15-11-2013

During the last tens years illegal migration has become an integral feature of development of EU, in spite of laws denying illegal stay and employment of the foreigners. And even the problem of illegal migration is typical for the whole Ukraine, it remains the most actual for Transcarpathia.

Thousands illegal migrants are detained at the western borders of Ukraine every year. Usually migrants arrive from Afghanistan, Somalia, Syria and other countries with dangerous political situation as well as from Georgia, Moldova.

With the beginning of winter season the task of illegal migrants in reaching cherished European Union through the Carpathians becomes harder and harder: the daylights hours become shorter, the temperature is low, precipitation and strong winds do not give opportunity to hide in the locality and can lead to congelation and even death. Border guards saved lives of many illegal migrants, however there were cases, unfortunately, when nothing could be done. The last case was the death of one illegal migrant from Sri Lanka. Some years before, during the smuggling to Slovakia, the “guides” left the woman from Chechnya and her three children. The only mother survived. Some months later the citizen of Palestine died in the mountains. Addressing to our country fellows, residents of border populated areas, thank you for attraction and assistance in counteraction to illegal migration. Those, who has decided to enrich themselves due trustfulness of the migrants seeking better destiny, remind that  “Leaving in danger” and “Illegal transportation of persons through the state border of Ukraine” are crimes punished for the term of 8 to 9 years of imprisonment correspondingly!

Reference: Article 135 Leaving in danger

1 . Notorious leaving of persons without assistance, who are in dangerous state for life and depravation of ability to take measures as to self-preservation according to minority, old age, disease and in consequence of any helpless state, if someone leaves somebody without assistance, he/she is obliged to take care about this person and had an opportunity to render help as well as in the case when he himself left victim in a dangerous state for his/her life , – is punished by liberty limitation for the term of 2-5 years and deprivation of liberty for the same period .

2 . The same actions committed by mother as to her newborn child, if mother was in the state conditioned by childbirth are punished by limitation of liberty for the term of 3-5 years or deprivation of liberty for the same period.

3 . Actions stipulated by Parts 1 and 2 of the present Article if they caused death of person or any other severe consequences are punished for the term of 3-8 years of deprivation of liberty.

Article 332. Illegal transportation of persons through the state border of Ukraine
1 . Illegal transportation of persons through the state border of Ukraine, guidance by such actions or assistance to its commitment by advices, instructions, granting means or clearance – are punished by deprivation of liberty for the term of 3-5 years with confiscation of transport means or any other means of crime commitment.
2 . The same actions committed in a way dangerous for life and health of a person that is illegally transported through the state border of or committed concerning some persons or repeatedly or on preliminary agreement by a group of persons, or by a service man using service state are punished by deprivation of liberty for the term of 3-7 years with confiscation of transport means or any other means of crime commitment, deprivation of right to post certain titles or be engaged in certain activity for the term up to 3 years, or without a such.
3 . Actions stipulated by Parts 1 and 2 of the present Article committed by organized grouping  or committed due to profit-motivated inducement are punished by deprivation of liberty for the term of 5-7 years with deprivation of right to post certain titles or be engaged in certain activity for the term up to 3 years, with confiscation of transport means or any other means of crime commitment and with confiscation of property.

Press – service of Chop Border Detachment 

Source: http://www.ua-reporter.com/novosti/143747

15-11-2013

Hungary experiences a great flow of migrants: if last year 2 000 persons asked asylum in the country, so this not finished year there are already 17 thousand asylum seekers.

NGOs declare that authorities of the country are ready for this neither practically nor on legislation point of view. “Why we escaped Serbia, what problems were there – nobody interests here in these questions. We have been told straight to eyes that we will not be granted asylum here – that is all.”

The government replies to it that the majority of migrants uses Hungary just as intermediated stop and goes further; those deciding to stay can, for sure, rely on assistance, there are a lot of existing opportunities here.

Zhuzhanna Veg, chief of Immigration Department:

«Considering the fact that many of those arriving here soon depart not waiting for consideration of their case – those who are left can be provided with adequate asylum».

Still, because of such a scale flow of refugees, the government needs to increase the number of the staff working in the camps for the migrants.

Andrash Kovatsh, director of Hungarian Association of Migrants:

«Experts dealing with this service and immigration system in general, do not always have necessary experience and preparation, so from time to time we receive signals about problems and conflicts».

In any case considering conditions are unsatisfactory in general, migrants get at least lodging for night and meals in the camp.

As it is reported by the correspondent Andrea Hayagosh,

«No one knows if strong flow decreases in the nearest time – as Bulgarian and Romania in the beginning of the next year will not join Schengen and in such a way Hungary will remain the eastern gates of the Schengen zone».

Source: http://www.ua-reporter.com/novosti/143749

15-11-2013

Delegation of representatives of Federal Migration Commission (FMC) arrived to Transcarpathia aiming at acquaintance with the activity of Temporary Holding Facilities, Temporary Detention Facilities for refugees, foreigners and stateless persons, experience exchange and discussion on possible cooperation. It was said during the press-conference in Uzhgorod press-club.   
As Nataliya Kabatsiy, director of CO “MACZ”, reported that during the week delegation got acquaintance with situation on migration in Transcarpathia. Swiss experts visited THFs, TDFs as well as had an opportunity to communicate with the public in the frames of the III^d Short Film Competition conducted by Medical Aid Committee in Zakarpattya.

Simon Podolie, director of FMC stressed: “Every day we are engaged in migration issues in our work, cooperate with NGOs in other countries. However, as Switzerland is located in the centre of Europe we are interested in looking at migration situation also beyond the borders of this union. We often call Europe as a fortress and we would like to acquaint with the situation “beyond the fortress”, what problems do people face living there. We were impressed by the work conducted here by NGOs as well as by those things we heard from governmental bodies.”

“We see actual problems existing here. We hear about insufficient support of EU that first of all is interested in protection of its borders. We feel how far we are in comprehension of the situation in such a distance from us. We will certainly share information about problems border guards, representatives of Migration Service and the public face in Ukraine with our set contacts with official governmental bodies in Switzerland”

Probably then, they will understand the situation beyond the borders of our country”, – S. Podolie summed up. The members of the delegation told that they were impressed by the work and enthusiasm with which specialists of Medical Aid Committee in Zakarpattya work. We also heard many impressive stories at different detention centers. We were also astonished by the communication with the border guards, especially with those who preserved humanity, frankness and understanding. “Namely these are little things form general impression about work”. – Simone says.

Carl Grunder, co-president of Association «Bistro Interculturel» told that Association headed by him was found 2 years ago by initiating group in Switzerland: “I am not for the first time in Transcarpathia, yet in the days of great floods I felt wish and ability to help as I specialized in the forestry. Since that time, voluntaries engaged in the aid projects created network Switzerland – Ukraine and did not stop assisting Transcarpathia. Concerning the present visit, it already touches migration problems”.

“I formed the impression that the majority of migrants arrived to Ukraine have not planned to live just here. They had to be rejected in many things. Some of them even invested all their property to this attempt of escape. Here, they face with administrative system introduced for them in a strange language and in most cases they do not understand the essence at all. Usually, such a situation is inherent to all cases of escape in every country. Much depends on the accompaniment, translation, will psychological aid be rendered, – Carl Grunder says. – I have not felt any tension or hostility on migration issues in Transcarpathia.”

Elizabeth Stainer, responsible for communication at FMC told about assistance that migrants can have in Switzerland. In case they cannot find any job, thus they get social public assistance from the government – somehow lower in comparison with the citizens’ of Switzerland, but contrary to Ukrainian single payment in the sum of 17 UAH (€1,7) comprises 6000 franc. Simultaneously, this sum is received not by a person but by a governmental body taking care of person’s integration into society, his/her visiting language courses, getting job, etc. Sum in comparison corresponds to two monthly not big salaries in Switzerland.

Federal Migration Commission (Eidgenössische Kommission für Migrationsfragen EKM) was found by Federal Council of Switzerland in 2008. Nowadays, it solves social, economic, cultural, demographic and legal problems appeared on the grounds of foreigners’ stay in Switzerland. Target group of Commission includes also asylum seekers, recognized refugees and persons having right of temporary stay. FMC is an important tool of knowledge transference on migration issues and takes part in the process of international experience exchange in the present sphere.

Source: http://www.zaholovok.com.ua/shveitsarskikh-pravozakhisnikiv-vrazila-situatsiya-z-migrantami-i-bizhentsyami-na-zakarpatti?fb_action_ids=622095731188292&fb_action_types=og.likes

14-11-2013

Border guards of Chop Detachment detained a group of illegal migrants from Asian region. The trespassers were apprehended in the frames of realization of joint actions on counteraction to illegal migration by the border detail of BS “Knyagynya” together with the military officers of the mobile detachment during the patrolling of the area of Ukrainian-Slovakian border. Detecting the group of unfamiliar persons moving through the forest towards Slovakia, border guards started immediately to meet them. At border guards’ demand to present them their documents, the travelers informed that they had no any documents. There were 5 detainees – man, woman and three children. In the course of original interviewing, the man represented as the citizen of Poland. The woman with three boys of 4, 8 and 10 years old first mentioned the country of her origin as Georgia, but soon she confessed that they were the migrants from Tadzhikistan. The “travelers” reported that they made their way to Slovakia and then from there they intended to get to Germany.

In general, in the course of the applied measures, namely due to the introduction by State Border Service of Ukraine of new technologies, technical re-equipping of the state in border, build up of border infrastructure – the number of illegal migrants using Ukraine as transit to the countries of European Union has fundamentally decreased. Not only statistics of State Border Service of Ukraine testifies this fact as well as data about the number of illegal migrants detained at the border of Ukraine by the Border Departments of Poland, Slovakia, Hungary and Romania – for 2008-2010 it lessened in 2-2, 5 times. According to the statistic data 2% illegal migrants detained by the border services of EU countries make their way through the border of Ukraine and Republic of Belarus.

Altogether, for 10 months of 2013 State Border Service of Ukraine and border departments of neighboring countries apprehended 807 illegal migrants (in 2012 – 1120 illegal migrants). In 2012 – 68% migrants were detained for illegal cross of the state border and other infringements, who originated from  post Soviet countries, namely from Moldova, Georgia, Russia (migrants from Chechnya), Azerbaijan, Armenia, Uzbekistan, Tadzhikistan and Kazakhstan.

Source: http://dpsu.gov.ua/ua/about/news/news_2785.htm

14-11-2013

On November 13, a meeting of the working group took place on issues of integration of refugees and persons in need of subsidiary protection into Ukrainian society.

The participants of the meeting were – the deputy chairman of Transcarpathian Regional State Administration Ivan Kachur, the chief specialist of Refugees and Foreigners Department of State Migration Service of Ukraine Tatiana Kas’yan and senior regional adviser on issues of local integration of UNHCR Srechko Noiman.

In the course of the meeting the following problems were discussed: implementation of the plan of actions on integration of the refugees and persons in need of subsidiary protection; estate that can be used for the sale for refugees and persons in need of subsidiary protection; provision with funding of actions on rendering medical aid; Ukrainian language learning by persons that are granted refugee status.

For Transcarpathian border guards problems connected with the refugees have always been topical. Now, Regional Plan on integration of refugees and persons in need of subsidiary protection into Ukrainian society is approved in the oblast, where the tasks of the executors and terms of implementation are clearly defined, – Ivan Kachur stressed.

In general, about 40 governmental establishments, organizations, enterprises, funds as well as Uzhgorod National and Mukachevo State Universities, regional branch of National Institute of Strategic Investigations in Uzhgorod, Regional Representation of UNHCR, its partners at the places were involved in creation of Regional Plan.

Source: http://www.ua-reporter.com/novosti/143685

14-11- 2013

The car driven by the citizen of Moldova arrived to stationary check point BS “Dilove”. Two citizens of Georgia were travelling together with the citizen of the neighboring country. During the check of the documents the driver proposed to senior of border detail of Mukachevo Detachment a bribe in the sum of $50 in order to avoid the check of the documents. After that all three persons were invited to Border Service Department for processing protocols as to the present infringement. However, in the course of the interview Moldavian proposed again, for the second time, the bribe in the sum of 700 UAH already aiming at avoiding administrative responsibility. Soon, it was established that the citizens of Georgia excelled the stay term in Ukraine. Administrative and procedural documents were drawn up as to mentioned citizens. Rakhiv regional department of State Migration Service of Ukraine in Transcarpathian region was informed about the fact of detection as well Public Prosecutors’ Office received notification on that point.

Source: http://dpsu.gov.ua/ua/about/news/news_2784.htm

13-11-2013

Border guards of Mukachevo Detachment and Transcarpathian SSU officers apprehended a group of illegal migrants and their accomplice in the area of BS “Luzhanka”.

Having received preliminary information, beforehand border guards put additional border details at the places of possible cross of the border. Soon, the district inspector noticed three unfamiliar persons. Border detail caught up and detained the travelers. Detainees, two women and a man were from Syria.

Consequently, in the same direction the border guards apprehended unknown person hiding in the grass. While law enforcement agents coming closer, the man tried to run away. A warning shoot from device for shooting by rubber bullet was done up for his apprehension.

Also, the officers of SBS and SSU arrested the car driven by the citizen of Ukraine.

According to preliminary data, Ukrainian citizen realized delivery of this group of illegal migrants from Syria to the state border by this transport. All details of the infringement are under investigation.

Source: http://www.ua-reporter.com/novosti/143644

13-11- 2013

In the morning border guards of Lviv Detachment detected the violator with forged document while he was entering Ukraine. The man made his way to the country as a passenger together with Ukrainian citizen driving the car “Mercedes”. However, the border detail that had been checking the documents at the check point “Ustylug”, noticed that the passport of the citizen of Croatia was forged. The informational page with constituent data was changed by means of its re-stitch. Now, the citizen of Croatia is handed to the representatives of Border Service of Republic of Poland according to Readmission Agreement, which confirmed the forgery of that document.

Source: http://dpsu.gov.ua/ua/about/news/news_2768.htm

13-11-2013

Irshava Regional Police Department received report from local police agent. He informed that in the course of operation realization “November” two persons of Caucasian appearance were noticed in the yard of the private house in the village Pryborzhavske. During the data check, persons introduced themselves as the citizens of Georgia. They did not present any documents identifying their personalities. While giving explanations they mentioned that they arrived to Ukraine by plane via the airport “Zhulyany” in Kyiv in 2012. On 11 November, 2013 they came to Transcarpathia to see the resident of the village of Pryborzhavske, with whom they became acquainted in Kyiv. The citizens of Ukraine were handed to workers of SMS for deportation from the territory of Ukraine.

Source: http://www.ua-reporter.com/novosti/143628