Ukrainian Ombudsman announced changes in mobilization
Human Rights Commissioner Dmytro Lubinets (photo: Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
Human Rights Commissioner Dmytro Lubinets proposed to the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) to remove the term "limited fitness." Ukrainian citizens with health issues may serve not on the front lines, states the ombudsman during a telethon.
"Regarding the "limited fitness" decision: we have documented numerous cases where certificates were issued to citizens, who have no health issues and are not "unfit," as "unfit" due to corrupt practices. Conversely, Ukrainian citizens with open health problems, long-standing diagnoses, were issued certificates as "limited fitness." This needs to be addressed," the ombudsman stated.
According to him, this issue was separately discussed at a meeting of the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC), during which Lubinets proposed removing the term "limited fitness." In the ombudsman's opinion, a Ukrainian citizen should either be fit for military service or unfit.
"If, for example, due to his health, he is unfit for combat duties with a rifle in hand directly on the front line, and he has, for instance, back problems, he can serve in a headquarters or as part of the missile forces, or engage in IT-related military roles," Lubinets stated.
According to him, he provided a recommendation to the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) to regulate the 'limited fitness,' 'unfit,' or 'fully fit' classifications through specific military professions.
This regulation, in Lubinets' view, should clearly indicate to a Ukrainian citizen that if he is fit but has health issues, he is fit for service in specific branches of the military that are not directly involved in front-line combat.
He emphasized that the procedure should be as transparent as possible, easily understandable for citizens, and digitized. In addition, citizens, doctors, and institutions responsible for parliamentary oversight should have access to electronic databases.
In the ombudsman's view, this will prevent corruption and provide an opportunity to genuinely protect the rights of citizens when they are violated.
Lubinets also informed that they have already inspected 75% of the Medical Boards for Military Service (VVK), and they plan to inspect the remaining ones by the end of September.
Mobilization in Ukraine
Currently, military conscription in Ukraine applies to male citizens aged 18 to 60 years old, with some exceptions outlined in the article by RBC-Ukraine.
However, recently, a new schedule of illnesses has been approved in Ukraine, which will be used to assess fitness for military service. In particular, for "controversial" categories, all individuals will be considered fit.
At the same time, health-related restrictions for military deployment will continue to exist in Ukraine.
