On September 17, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted in the second reading and as a whole draft law No. 13266, which establishes the institution of the Military Ombudsman. The decision was supported by 283 members of parliament, reports Baltimore Chronicle with reference to the parliamentary session.
The law defines the legal status, key tasks, and organizational principles of the Military Ombudsman, whose primary mission is to protect the rights of service members of the defense and security forces, reservists, conscripts, members of territorial defense units, and special forces officers of the National Police.
The principles guiding the Ombudsman’s work include the rule of law, prioritization of human rights and freedoms, legality, independence, impartiality, fairness, transparency, political neutrality, accountability, and cooperation with the public.
The Military Ombudsman is appointed by the President of Ukraine for a five-year term, with the same individual permitted to serve no more than two consecutive terms. Candidates must be Ukrainian citizens over the age of 30, hold a higher education degree at least at the master’s level, demonstrate impeccable reputation and high moral standards, be fluent in the state language, have resided in Ukraine continuously for at least five years before appointment, and be medically fit for the position.
Nominees undergo screening under the anti-corruption law and must submit a declaration of income. Individuals cannot be appointed if they hold foreign citizenship, are members of political parties, are active military personnel, or have overdue child support debts exceeding six months, among other restrictions.
The Ombudsman’s mandate ends upon expiration of the term, resignation, dismissal by the president, appointment to another position, conviction by a court, initiation of corruption proceedings, party membership, or death.
The Military Ombudsman is authorized to review complaints, initiate investigations, request information from state and military institutions, including classified data, analyze violations, commission studies on the protection of service members’ rights, and demand urgent meetings with officials. The Ombudsman also has the right to access military units, educational institutions, guardhouses, disciplinary battalions, and other facilities, even in combat zones.
In addition, the Ombudsman may involve experts, cooperate confidentially with whistleblowers, conduct monitoring of human rights in the military, and lead information and analytical work. By March 30 each year, the Ombudsman must submit an annual activity report to the President of Ukraine, which will also be published on the official website of the institution.
Funding for the Ombudsman’s work will be provided from the state budget.
Earlier we wrote that U.S. private military companies could be deployed in Ukraine backed by Trump.