Donbas RJRC joined the discussion of the draft law “On the State Policy of Transitional Period”

On July 27, 2021, an open discussion took place on the “Law on Transitional Period – a Step Towards Safe Reintegration?” with the participation of Donbas Regional Justice Reform Council (RJRC) of the EU Project Pravo-Justice. This framework draft is the first one in a planned package of legislative initiatives to ensure the de-occupation and safe reintegration of the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine and the citizens currently residing there.

"We welcome the draft law on transitional period, because for the first time in seven years the state is trying to legislate the painful problems existing since the Russian Federation occupied Crimea and certain areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions," said Olena Fonova, Ph.D., judge of the Commercial Court of Luhansk region, coordinator of the Donbas RJRC.

In her speech, the judge stressed the importance of restoring postal services, which will greatly simplify access to Ukrainian courts and administrative services for residents of the occupied territories, including many elderly people.

“It is very positive that this draft has identified the restoration of postal services among the key priorities in protection of the rights and freedoms of citizens from uncontrolled territories. It will be difficult and will require solutions on both sides of the conflict, so it is important to determine now: who, how and when will do it,”- said the coordinator of Donbas RJRC.

In addition, Olena Fonova stressed the importance of legislative regulation of a number of other procedures defined in the draft, in particular:

• convalidation (recognition) of transactions concluded in the uncontrolled territory, which will facilitate the enjoyment of the right to dispose of one’s property.
• state registration of civil status acts that took place in the occupied territories, which will facilitate people’s access to these services and relieve the courts.

According to Olena Fonova, it is also important to reach out the public and the legal community to provide clarifications on the provisions of the draft that may give rise to misunderstandings or political speculation.

The event was organized by the National Platform “Dialogue for Peace and Safe Reintegration” within the project “Building Resilience to Conflict through Dialogue” which is funded by the European Union.

It is to be recalled that in January 2021, the Donbas RJRC submitted proposals to the draft law “On the State Policy of Transitional Period” developed by the Ministry of Reintegration of the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine.