Ukraine lacks a procedure for providing temporary housing to civilians freed from russian prisons, according to human rights defenders

The Law on the Social and Legal Protection of Individuals Deprived of Personal Liberty as a Result of Armed Aggression Against Ukraine guarantees those freed from illegal detention the priority right to temporary housing. Resolution No. 495 was developed to regulate the provision of temporary housing for those released. However, this document disregards the law’s provisions and lacks a mechanism for prioritizing housing for freed hostages. To date, 293 civilians have returned from russian prisons.

Ihor Kotelianets, head of the Association of Relatives of Political Prisoners of the Kremlin, stated this during a briefing at the Media Center Ukraine.

“Civilian hostages returning to Ukraine after imprisonment in russian jails are deprived of their land, their homes, and their property. They need temporary housing to undergo rehabilitation and return to normal life,” he said.

According to Kotelianets, activists examined how the housing provision mechanism works for these categories in 380 localities. However, local authorities are unaware of the relevant laws and resolutions. Only 8% of the surveyed communities reported having a reserve housing fund.

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