A meeting of the Coordination Council on the Protection of the Rights of War Veterans and Their Family Members, Family Members of Fallen Defenders of Ukraine, as well as Prisoners of War and Missing Persons, was held at the Office of the President.
The main topic of discussion was the problems related to identifying the bodies of our fallen warriors.
Under the chairmanship of Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Kyrylo Budanov and with the participation of Prime Minister of Ukraine Sergii Koretskyi, Minister of Health Viktor Liashko, Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine Ihor Klymenko, and Head of the Coordination Headquarters and Chief the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine Oleh Ivashchenko, steps were developed that should deliver tangible results within the coming weeks.
Sergii Koretskyi noted that by mid-October, all necessary regulations would be adopted to significantly accelerate and improve the work of forensic medical examinations in the regions.
Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights Dmytro Lubinets noted that identifying bodies is complicated by the difficulties involved in conducting DNA examinations. According to him, in some cases, forensic medical examination bureaus stored bodies improperly, violated sanitary standards, and failed to involve forensic experts in the analysis.
Ihor Klymenko proposed creating an interagency working group under the National Security and Defense Council to oversee issues related to identifying the bodies of the fallen. According to him, it would include working groups operating in the regions. Ihor Klymenko also added that there is a proposal to establish separate forensic medical examination bureaus dedicated to the identification of bodies.
Minister of Health Viktor Liashko emphasized that the Ministry of Health supports the creation of an interagency working group and a new approach to the work of forensic medical examination bureaus.
During the meeting, particular attention was also paid to strengthening dialogue with international organizations that can assist in identifying the bodies of fallen Ukrainian warriors.
“Families of defenders expect action and results from the authorities. Concrete and swift,” Kyrylo Budanov emphasized.