Country Information and Guidance Ukraine: Background Information, Including Actors of Protection and Internal Relocation
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Country Information and Guidance Ukraine: Background information, including actors of protection and internal relocation Version 1.0 August 2016 Preface This document provides country of origin information (COI) and guidance to Home Office decision makers on handling particular types of protection and human rights claims. This includes whether claims are likely to justify the granting of asylum, humanitarian protection or discretionary leave and whether – in the event of a claim being refused – it is likely to be certifiable as ‘clearly unfounded’ under s94 of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002. Decision makers must consider claims on an individual basis, taking into account the case specific facts and all relevant evidence, including: the guidance contained with this document; the available COI; any applicable caselaw; and the Home Office casework guidance in relation to relevant policies. Country Information The COI within this document has been compiled from a wide range of external information sources (usually) published in English. Consideration has been given to the relevance, reliability, accuracy, objectivity, currency, transparency and traceability of the information and wherever possible attempts have been made to corroborate the information used across independent sources, to ensure accuracy. All sources cited have been referenced in footnotes. It has been researched and presented with reference to the Common EU [European Union] Guidelines for Processing Country of Origin Information (COI), dated April 2008, and the European Asylum Support Office’s research guidelines, Country of Origin Information report methodology, dated July 2012. Feedback Our goal is to continuously improve the guidance and information we provide. Therefore, if you would like to comment on this document, please email the Country Policy and Information Team. Independent Advisory Group on Country Information The Independent Advisory Group on Country Information (IAGCI) was set up in March 2009 by the Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration to make recommendations to him about the content of the Home Office‘s COI material. The IAGCI welcomes feedback on the Home Office‘s COI material. It is not the function of the IAGCI to endorse any Home Office material, procedures or policy. IAGCI may be contacted at: Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration, 5th Floor, Globe House, 89 Eccleston Square, London, SW1V 1PN. Email: [email protected] Information about the IAGCI‘s work and a list of the COI documents which have been reviewed by the IAGCI can be found on the Independent Chief Inspector‘s website at http://icinspector.independent.gov.uk/country-information-reviews/ Page 2 of 49 Contents Guidance ................................................................................................................... 5 1. Introduction ...................................................................................................... 5 1.1 Summary of issues ................................................................................... 5 2. Consideration of Issues ................................................................................... 5 2.1 Protection ................................................................................................. 5 2.2 Internal relocation ..................................................................................... 6 3. Policy summary ............................................................................................... 7 Country Information ................................................................................................. 8 4. Geography ....................................................................................................... 8 5. Demography .................................................................................................... 9 5.1 Population size ......................................................................................... 9 5.2 Ethnic groups ......................................................................................... 10 5.3 Language ............................................................................................... 11 5.4 Religion .................................................................................................. 12 6. Economy ........................................................................................................ 12 7. Political system .............................................................................................. 14 8. Current crisis.................................................................................................. 15 9. Police ............................................................................................................. 17 9.1 Territory controlled by Government of Ukraine ....................................... 17 9.2 Donbas ................................................................................................... 22 9.3 Crimea .................................................................................................... 23 10. Judiciary ........................................................................................................ 24 10.1 Territory controlled by Government of Ukraine ....................................... 24 10.2 Donbas ................................................................................................... 27 10.3 Crimea .................................................................................................... 28 11. Corruption ...................................................................................................... 29 12. Freedom of religion ........................................................................................ 33 12.1 Territory controlled by Government of Ukraine ....................................... 33 12.2 Donbas ................................................................................................... 33 12.3 Crimea .................................................................................................... 35 13. Freedom of speech and expression ............................................................... 37 13.1 Territory controlled by Government of Ukraine ....................................... 37 13.2 Donbas ................................................................................................... 38 13.3 Crimea and Crimean Tatars ................................................................... 39 Page 3 of 49 14. Civil society groups ........................................................................................ 41 14.1 Territory controlled by Government of Ukraine ....................................... 41 14.2 Donbas ................................................................................................... 42 14.3 Crimea .................................................................................................... 42 15. Freedom of movement ................................................................................... 43 15.1 Movement between Government-controlled territories and the Donbas . 43 15.2 Movement between Government-controlled areas and Crimea ............. 45 15.3 Women ................................................................................................... 46 16. Citizenship ..................................................................................................... 47 16.1 Overview ................................................................................................ 47 16.2 Crimea .................................................................................................... 48 Version Control and Contacts ............................................................................... 49 Page 4 of 49 Guidance Updated: 3 August 2016 1. Introduction 1.1 Summary of issues 1.1.1 In general, are those at risk of persecution or serious harm able to seek effective protection? 1.1.2 In general, are those at risk of persecution or serious harm able to internally relocate to escape that risk? Back to Contents 2. Consideration of Issues 2.1 Protection 2.1.1 The current crisis in Ukraine began in November 2013 when the then President, Yanukovych, backtracked on a trade and cooperation agreement with the EU in favour of closer economic ties with Russia. The government's use of violence to break up the subsequent protests led to scores of deaths, international condemnation, and the President's abrupt departure to Russia. New elections resulted in President Petro Poroshenko assuming office on 7 June 2014 (see Current crisis). 2.1.2 Shortly after Yanukovych's departure from Ukraine in late February 2014, Russia annexed Crimea. Despite this, UN resolution 68/262 asserts that Crimea remains part of Ukraine and fully under Ukrainian sovereignty (see Current crisis). 2.1.3 Russia also continues to supply separatists in two of Ukraine's eastern provinces (Luhansk and Donetsk) with manpower, funding, and material, resulting in an armed conflict with the Ukrainian Government. Representatives from Ukraine, Russia, and the unrecognized separatist republics signed a ceasefire agreement in September 2014. However, this ceasefire failed to stop the fighting. In a renewed attempt to alleviate ongoing clashes, leaders of Ukraine, Russia, France, and Germany negotiated a follow-on peace deal in February 2015 known as the Minsk Agreements. Representatives from Ukraine,