Internally Displaced Persons in Ukraine: Gaps in Law and Practice

Abstract: Following the annexation of Crimea in March 2014 and the conflict that broke out in Eastern Ukraine shortly afterwards, 1.679.000 people became internally displaced in Ukraine. Due to the large scale of the displacement, the legislative gaps and low capacity of institutions, national law and practice are inconsistent with international standards for the protection of internally displaced persons. This research analyses the gaps in protection concerning rights to adequate housing, vote and property restitution. Good practice and lessons from Georgia are scrutinized in order to exemplify possible ways to address the problems. It is concluded that existing gaps require amendments of the law, implementation of legal provisions in practice, development of long-term strategies and integration of durable solutions for internally displaced persons in Ukraine.