The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine has adopted the draft law on the creation of the Military Ombudsman institution, an initiative put forward by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy. A total of 283 MPs voted in favor.
Once the Head of State signs the document and it enters into force, the Military Ombudsman will have the authority to protect the rights of servicemembers. In particular, the Ombudsman will be able to receive and process complaints, conduct inspections in military units and bodies of military administration, and cooperate with other entities within the security and defense sector.
The Military Ombudsman will also analyze the causes of violations of warriors’ rights, prepare proposals to eliminate them and prevent future occurrences, and provide recommendations to the military leadership on how to improve the situation with regard to the rights of servicemembers.
Presidential Commissioner for the Protection of the Rights of Military Personnel and Their Families Olha Reshetylova thanked the Head of State for his clear position and initiative, as well as the former and current Ministers of Defense for their support, the Central Directorate for the Protection of the Rights of Servicemembers of the Ministry of Defense for their work on the text, and the lawyers of the Office of the President, civic activists, and experts who contributed to the discussion and development of the draft law.
“The adoption of this law is an important step, but far from the last one, toward ensuring that Ukrainian servicemembers have a tool to defend their rights – and feel care and justice. A great deal of important work lies ahead – many changes and at the same time many challenges in defending the honor and dignity of those who defend us,” emphasized Olha Reshetylova.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that the creation of the Military Ombudsman institution is an objective necessity, as this was the request of Ukrainian servicemembers. The Head of State discussed its establishment with the Minister of Defense, the military command, and representatives of civil society. The first step in this direction was the appointment of Olha Reshetylova as the Presidential Commissioner for the Protection of the Rights of Military Personnel and Their Families on December 30 of last year.