Inquiry regarding the provision of international protection to Ukrainian male citizens who are mobilization-eligible.
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 4th session, plenary sitting
Date: 2024-10-21 23:52
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 20
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 38m
AI Summaries: 20/20 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The last item on the agenda concerned the inquiry presented by Members of the Riigikogu, Jaak Valge, Henn Põlluaas, Ants Frosch, and Leo Kunnas, on September 9, 2024, regarding the provision of international protection to Ukrainian men of mobilization age (no. 643). The presenter of the inquiry was Henn Põlluaas, and the content of the inquiry focused primarily on why Ukrainian men of mobilization age are receiving international protection, what the basis for this is, and what it means for everyone. The figures presented and discussed highlighted significantly large differences between national protection forms and raised questions about the logic of granting temporary and international protection and the nature of the applications.
Decisions Made 1
No specific decisions were made. The discussion focused on clarifying the content of the inquiry, distinguishing the legal bases, and differentiating national protective measures, and the discussion will continue with further discussions and clarifications.
Most Active Speaker
The most active speaker was Jaak Valge (pid vl68NYOImIY), a member of the Riigikogu. He made repeated addresses concerning the content of the inquiry and the issues surrounding its background, and spoke in several longer segments, presenting critical assessments and additional questions that directed the discussion. He is a politician operating from a quite direct right-wing or non-affiliated perspective, but his precise party affiliation is not directly and clearly indicated in the given text; therefore, his position remains “other/not clearly indicated.”
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The Riigikogu discussion, as the fifth item on the agenda, concerns the interpellation (No. 643) submitted on September 9, 2024, regarding the granting of international protection to Ukrainian male citizens of mobilization age. The rapporteur for this item is Henn Põlluaas.
Jaak Valge
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
He notes that it doesn't matter.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Understood. If it has been agreed that Jaak will deliver the presentation as the questioner, please proceed.
Jaak Valge
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Jaak Valge points out that in Estonia, international protection has primarily been granted to Ukrainian citizens, specifically men aged 18–60, and suspects political motives, comparing the situation with the examples of Latvia and Lithuania, and asks the Minister of the Interior for clarification regarding the grounds and data for these protection decisions.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller asked the Minister of the Interior to reply to the interpellation submitted by Lauri Läänemets.
Siseminister Lauri Läänemets
AI Summary
The presentation explains that in Estonia, temporary protection is granted to persons originating from Ukraine until March 4, 2026, along with international protection if necessary (refugee or subsidiary protection status). This decision is based on the individual's situation and security threat, and mass protection is not granted to deserters. Estonia adheres to EU and international norms in the context of the war against Ukraine.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman thanks the Minister, announces that questions will be put to the Minister, and invites colleague Jaak Valge to take the floor.
Jaak Valge
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Jaak Valge states that the answers are not convincing and that legal texts can be read anywhere. He requests an explanation as to why 70% of international protection recipients are men of mobilization age, compared to only 20% among temporary protection recipients, taking into account that the substance of Estonian applications differs from those in Latvia and Lithuania.
Siseminister Lauri Läänemets
AI Summary
Lauri Läänemets briefly explains that the majority of those who came to Estonia as refugees from Ukraine in the early days of the war were women, and therefore fewer men have been granted temporary protection. However, those who were already working in Estonia are primarily men, and they are granted international protection, not temporary protection. If their work permit expires, they can remain in the country under international protection or extend their work permit, given that the war continues and their home may be occupied or destroyed.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar invited Henn Põlluaas to speak.
Henn Põlluaas
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Henn Põlluaas claims that in 2023, international protection began to be granted in such large numbers, even though these people had been here previously, and confirms that the claim about undermining defense capability is not true, because Ukrainian leaders need every person, and asks for an explanation regarding the great dissonance in the responses.
Siseminister Lauri Läänemets
AI Summary
In 2023, the validity of residence permits issued for employment purposes expired; however, these individuals can still remain in Estonia and continue working under international protection. Estonia continues to provide Ukraine with diplomatic support, armaments, and equipment, and will keep people from Ukraine in Estonia until the end of the war, even though Ukraine has not officially requested assistance in sending these individuals back to Ukraine, and the president has emphasized that as many people as possible should return, but mobilization only affects a certain percentage of men, based on necessity.
Ants Frosch
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
He argues that the issue of granting asylum to Ukrainian men might affect both the labor force essential for the Estonian economy and national defense considerations. He then asks which priority we ought to choose: Ukraine's defense capability or the development of the Estonian economy.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman asked Ants Frosch to come up to the stage.
Siseminister Lauri Läänemets
AI Summary
Lauri Läänemets said that Estonia will continue strengthening Ukraine's defense capabilities and supporting the employment of Ukrainian war refugees, which is one of the highest in Europe in Estonia and has a positive impact on the economy. However, temporary or international protection is not being granted because of economic reasons, but rather to support Ukraine and its fight.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Hussar thanked the Minister, announced that there were no questions, opened the debate, and invited Henn Põlluaas to the podium, who requested an extension—three minutes.
Henn Põlluaas
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Henn Põlluaas argues that Estonia must not accept Ukrainian draft dodgers or deserters, stressing that Ukraine needs every man for its defense. He claims that accepting them damages both Estonian security and the trust of its allies, and recommends offering basic training opportunities to men who return, rather than undermining Ukraine's defense capabilities.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman offers his thanks and invites Leo Kunnas to the rostrum; Kunnas requests additional time, and he is granted three minutes.
Leo Kunnas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Leo Kunnas stresses that securing victory for Ukraine requires 1.5–2 million fighting men, effective mobilization and training, and assistance from allies, including Estonia, in mobilizing Ukrainians living abroad, providing basic training, and preparing units for deployment to Ukraine. Otherwise, the war will drag on, and retaking territories will be complicated.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar thanked the participants, noted that there were no further requests to speak, and concluded the debate and deliberations on today's fifth agenda item.