Zelenskyy appoints military ombudsman to protect soldiers' rights
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (photo: Getty Images)
A special military ombudsman institution will be established in Ukraine. The relevant request was made by Ukrainian servicemen, and tomorrow the order on the appointment will be published, states Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
“We need a person who will be able to protect the rights of our soldiers, and we need such a systemic capacity so that the Ombudsman, together with the Ministry of Defense and all others who are needed, can really influence the situation and really help the soldiers, the relatives of our soldiers,” the President said.
Zelenskyy said that he had discussed the creation of such an institution with the Minister of Defense of Ukraine, the military command, and representatives of civil society.
“And now the first decision has been prepared - a decree on the appointment of the Presidential Commissioner for the Protection of the Rights of Servicemen and Family Members of Our Soldiers. To start this work and prepare the launch of the ombudsman institution. I have chosen a strong candidate. The decree will be published tomorrow,” the President informed.
He added that together with the new ombudsman, the human rights community and the Ministry of Defense will agree on the relevant draft law on the military ombudsman, as well as the relevant systemic framework for its activities. In particular, powers, finances, etc.
“I ask the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine and the government to support the innovations that will be proposed in a timely manner. We have to start the work of the military ombudsman soon. I thank everyone who helps,” Zelenskyy summarized.
Defense Minister Rustem Umerov announced the introduction of a military ombudsman in Ukraine in early December. In particular, he presented the concept of implementing this institution to the president.
“The first step in this direction was the creation of the Central Department for the Protection of Servicemen's Rights, which is already showing concrete results: responding to complaints, visiting the sites of violations, conducting inspections, and ensuring the restoration of the rights of our soldiers,” the head of the defense ministry said.
At the same time, he informed that the next step after the creation of the Central Department for the Protection of Servicemen's Rights would be the introduction of a military ombudsman. The latter, according to Umerov, will protect the rights of Ukrainian soldiers, reservists, and their families.
