The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine supported the draft law in the first reading №13266, which provides for the creation of the post of Military Ombudsman. About this reported People’s Deputy Iryna Gerashchenko.
According to the draft law, the Military Ombudsman will become an official authorized to exercise democratic civilian control over the security and defense sector in respect of the rights of people serving in the military or involved in defense structures.
These are, in particular, military personnel, reservists, mobilized, participants in training or special meetings, members of the Terro-Defense Force, foreigners and stateless persons in the ranks of the Armed Forces, the National Guard, the State Special Transport Service, as well as policemen who fight during martial law.
The main functions of the ombudsman will be to identify systemic violations of military rights, analyze their causes, develop proposals for their elimination, as well as prepare recommendations for management to improve the situation in the field of human rights.
The military ombudsman will have the authority to receive complaints directly from the military or their representatives, and to initiate investigations — regardless of the source of the information. It can be an official appeal, media reports or anonymous signals.
After the inspections, the ombudsman will provide conclusions, in which he will record the essence of the violation, the responsible persons, the reasons, as well as recommendations for the elimination of violations and the possible bringing of the guilty to disciplinary responsibility. These documents will be forwarded to the command.
The Office of the Military Ombudsman will work as an auxiliary body under the President of Ukraine, cooperating with the Commissioner for Human Rights of the VRU on the basis of the memorandum. Every year, it will submit a report on its activities, which will be made public. The president will appoint the ombudsman for a term of up to five years. The same person cannot hold this position for more than two consecutive terms.
A citizen of Ukraine over the age of 30 who has a full higher education (not lower than a master’s degree), speaks the Ukrainian language, has an impeccable reputation, has lived in Ukraine for the past five years and is fit for service in terms of health can apply for this position.
The draft law also establishes a number of restrictions: persons with an outstanding criminal record, those who have been associated with corruption or political parties, military personnel, persons with alimony debts, foreigners, as well as those who have not passed an anti-corruption check or submitted an appropriate declaration will not be able to become an ombudsman.
