Ukraine offers DNA testing to its citizens abroad to search for missing relatives
Ukrainians currently living abroad can submit DNA samples at their current location to help locate their missing relatives under special circumstances, Rubryka reports, citing Dmytro Lubinets, the Ukrainian Commissioner for Human Rights.
What's the problem?
In November, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine launched a campaign to collect DNA samples from Ukrainians living abroad. The biological material is used to search for and identify individuals who have gone missing under special circumstances,
Starting with Poland and Germany, experts from the International Commission on Missing Persons collected 164 biological samples in one week and handed them over to the National Police investigators. Currently, expert examinations are ongoing.
"This collaborative experience has proven its effectiveness. We will continue this process and are already working on new schedules for collecting DNA material from Ukrainians who are forced to stay abroad," said Ukraine's Minister of Internal Affairs, Ihor Klymenko.
What's the solution?
"To organize a quality search, we need more information. Our citizens can fill out this questionnaire online or come to the authorized representatives in the regions," said the Minister of Internal Affairs.
Online registration for submitting DNA samples for Ukrainians abroad has begun. Pre-registration is needed to determine the countries and cities with a demand to open additional collection points for biomaterials and involve specialists.
How does it work?
Currently, the service is available in Poland and Germany. The collected samples will be handed over to Ukrainian investigators to search for and identify missing persons.
The Ombudsman published the schedule for DNA submission abroad for Ukrainians whose relatives are missing:
Poland:
- November 28 – Krakow;
- November 30 – Warsaw;
- November 30 – Poznan.
Germany:
- December 2 – Berlin;
- December 2 – Munich;
- December 3 – Dresden;
- December 4 – Frankfurt;
- December 5 – Dusseldorf.
Individuals need to contact +38 068 791 00 00 to register for the procedure. Applications are accepted until January 15, 2024, via email at [email protected].
Photo: Office of the Ombudsman of Ukraine
Photo: Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine
In related news, in May of this year, Ukraine launched the Unified Register of Missing Persons, developed by the Ministry of Internal Affairs in collaboration with the Commissioner for Missing Persons and other authorities.
It was also reported that in each region, there is a representative responsible for individuals missing under special circumstances, where assistants, psychologists, and lawyers work.
