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Young Ukrainians without protection in Norway? "Ukraine needs young men"
Norway has accepted the most refugees from Ukraine among the Nordic countries. Fot. Adobe Stock, licencja standardowa
The Norwegian government is ending automatic collective protection for Ukrainian men aged 18-60. The new rules will apply to those newly arriving in the country.
The information was provided by the Ministry of Justice. The change concerns men of conscription age. They will no longer be covered by temporary collective protection. Each of them will have to submit an individual asylum application and demonstrate the need for protection.
Government decision and political context
The Labour Party government has announced stricter regulations for refugees from Ukraine. Minister of Justice Astri Aas-Hansen announced the changes in a press release. She emphasized that Norway should not accept a disproportionately large number of people fleeing the war. The new regulations aim to limit the influx of men aged 18–60. The rules will not apply to those already in the country.
The decision was announced on the day the parliamentary local government committee was to present a recommendation on a similar proposal from the Progress Party. After the government's statement, the committee's work was postponed. The vote on the proposal is scheduled for March 12. Progress Party representative Erlend Wiborg stated that Ukraine needs men to defend the country. He added that Norway should prioritize women, children, the sick, and the elderly.
The decision was announced on the day the parliamentary local government committee was to present a recommendation on a similar proposal from the Progress Party. After the government's statement, the committee's work was postponed. The vote on the proposal is scheduled for March 12. Progress Party representative Erlend Wiborg stated that Ukraine needs men to defend the country. He added that Norway should prioritize women, children, the sick, and the elderly.
The priority should be women, children, the sick, and the elderly.Photo: Adobe Stock, standard license (illustrative photo)
Divisions in parliament and pressure on municipalities
The proposal has met with criticism from some parties. The Socialist Left Party has announced it will vote against it. Its representative, Anne Lise Fredlund, assessed that the changes could weaken the immigration law. Green Party leader Arild Hermstad also opposed the decision. He emphasized that Norway should not decide whom to send back to Ukraine.
The Centre Party expressed support. Its representative, Bengt Fasteraune, stated that Ukraine needs young men. He added that similar actions should have been taken earlier. The government also points to the situation in Denmark, which has changed its regulations regarding refugees from Ukraine. Minister of Labour and Integration Kjersti Stenseng reported increasing pressure on Norwegian municipalities and problems with housing availability.
The Centre Party expressed support. Its representative, Bengt Fasteraune, stated that Ukraine needs young men. He added that similar actions should have been taken earlier. The government also points to the situation in Denmark, which has changed its regulations regarding refugees from Ukraine. Minister of Labour and Integration Kjersti Stenseng reported increasing pressure on Norwegian municipalities and problems with housing availability.
Since September 2024, people from regions of Ukraine considered safe cannot benefit from collective protection in Norway. Their applications are considered individually. According to the authorities, only a few have been granted residence since then. The new regulations will now cover another group of people seeking protection.
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