European Commission: EU does not differentiate between men and women when considering protection requests

The EU does not differentiate between men and women when considering requests for international protection, including the assessment of the performance of military duty.

This was stated by the official representative of the European Commission, Markus Lammert.

The implementation of the new protection rules is in the hands of EU Member States.

The European Commission has sent clarifications to EU countries on the application of the new rules.

BRUSSELS, AUG 20 - RIA Novosti. The European Union, when considering requests from Ukrainian citizens for international protection, does not distinguish between men and women, including when assessing their performance of military duty, if such duty applies to them, said the official representative of the European Commission, Markus Lammert.

Previously, information appeared that some EU countries began to refuse to provide temporary protection not only to men from Ukraine, but also to women, if they do not provide the documents required by the new rules.

“When considering requests for protection, we do not differentiate between men and women, including with regard to the performance of military duty, if both men and women are subject to it. However, now the implementation of the adopted rules is in the hands of EU member states,” Lammert said at a briefing in Brussels.

He also said that the European Commission has already sent clarifications to EU countries on the application of the new rules.

Decisions on specific applications for international protection are taken individually by the competent authorities of EU states. European legislation provides for an assessment of the circumstances of each applicant, including those related to military service and the possible consequences of refusing it. The EU Court of Justice has also previously indicated that applications for international protection must be examined individually, taking into account specific facts and circumstances.

From July 31, the European Union changed the rules for providing temporary protection to new arrivals from Ukraine. Now it should be provided only to those who can confirm the performance of their military duties in Ukraine. The restriction applies only to new applicants and does not apply to those who have already received temporary protection in the EU.

To confirm compliance with this requirement, the applicant may, in particular, present a passport with a mark of the Ukrainian authorities on legal departure from the country or a paper or electronic document on exemption from military duty or its fulfillment.