The International and Temporary Protection Act is being amended through a fast-track procedure to enable the extension of temporary protection for displaced persons from Ukraine beyond 4 March this year.
Irena Petrijevčanin, State Secretary at the Ministry of the Interior, reminded Parliament that temporary protection was activated at the European Union level, including in Croatia, for the first time on 4 March 2022, for an initial period of one year (until 4 March 2023). This was then automatically extended for another year, until 4 March 2024.
"Since the reasons for temporary protection still exist, we are now introducing another extension," Petrijevčanin said while presenting the bill, which was supported by the MPs.
The Russian armed aggression against Ukraine has not ended, and further arrivals of displaced persons can still be expected. If temporary protection for the 27,710 people whose status in Croatia is regulated under this measure were to be discontinued, they would find themselves needing to re-regulate their status and apply for international protection in Croatia. This would place an extraordinary burden on Croatia's asylum system, prompting the decision to amend the law, the state secretary explained.
Another reason for the legislative amendments is the incorporation of certain EU regulations, she added.