The military has an official “presidential” channel to protect their rights
13 March 12:49
Military personnel and their families can now send appeals to the official e-mail address of the Presidential Commissioner for the Protection of the Rights of Servicemen and Their Families. This was reported by the military ombudsman Olga Kobylynska (Reshetylova), Komersant ukrainskyi reports.
“In the first months of our work, we received appeals through various communication channels. This allowed us to resolve the most pressing issues, identify the most common problems, and establish cooperation to overcome them. Now we are switching to an official channel for receiving appeals from the military and their families,” noted Olga Kobylynska.
According to her, this is the official e-mail address of the Presidential Ombudsman: [email protected]
How to file a military appeal
To send an appeal to the Presidential Ombudsman, you need to
– draw up a written (printed or handwritten) application addressed to the Commissioner with a detailed description of the essence of the appeal;
– attach an exhaustive list of documents confirming the appeal;
– send the application and supporting documents to the official e-mail address [email protected], as well as leave your e-mail and mobile phone number for feedback.
The transitional period for processing applications previously received via messengers will last until April 7.
As you know, at the end of December last year, the President of Ukraine appointed Olga Reshetylova (Kobylynska) as the Presidential Commissioner for the Protection of the Rights of Servicemen and Family Members of Our Soldiers. The main task of the President was to prepare a draft law on the military ombudsman together with the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine and civil society and to establish all the necessary systemic foundations for the work of this institution.
What problems do the military most often address to their ombudsman?
Olha Kobylynska (Reshetylova), the Presidential Commissioner for the Protection of the Rights of Servicemen and Their Families, said that, for example, in the first month of her work, she received more than 4,000 appeals regarding the protection of the rights of servicemen.
She singled out two topics that are the record holders in terms of the number of appeals: non-referral to military medical commissions and treatment, as well as the problem of transfer between units.
According to her, there are many complaints about not being referred for treatment after injuries, urgent and planned surgeries, consequences of severe contusions, panic attacks and acute post-traumatic disorders, etc.
“It is easy to understand that in this state, the effectiveness of combat missions is low, and the mortality rate among servicemen due to diseases will increase. In addition, in case of an untreated mental disorder, a serviceman can pose a danger either to himself or to his comrades,” explained Olga Reshetylova.
She also emphasized that “the appeals show that not following the recommendations of doctors, even from their own unit, is very often the position of the commander “without” any individual approach and consideration.”
According to Olga Reshetylova, commanders often do not comply with transfer orders or deliberately transfer servicemen against their will to other positions, which makes it difficult to comply with the order.
Where else can soldiers go to protect their rights?
Medical issues (if not treated or referred to an MHC) are handled by the Command of the Medical Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (044) 230 73 64, as well as the Main Military Medical Department of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (044) 520 07 64.
Financial issues, including non-payment of bonuses, are dealt with by the Department of Finance of the Ministry of Defense for Cash Support and Social Benefits (044) 271 12 57.
For non-statutory relations and actions or omissions of commanders, please contact the Military Law Enforcement Service – (044) 454 73 08.
For issues not related to the service, you can contact the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights at 0 800 50 17 20.
