Ukraine may finally legalize the activities of private military companies
8 May 08:49
The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine has registered and sent to the Committee on National Security, Defense and Intelligence the draft law “On International Activities of Legal Entities of Private Law in the Military and Security Spheres” (No. 13257). This is reported on the website of the parliament, "Komersant Ukrainian" informs.
As you know, Ukraine currently lacks a clear legislative mechanism for regulating the activities of private military companies outside the state.
According to the authors of the draft law, this creates legal conflicts in the provision of security services abroad, the participation of Ukrainian companies in international peacekeeping and security operations, and the implementation of export control in the security sector.
The draft law is aimed at establishing clear rules for regulating the activities of such companies, ensuring their compliance with international standards, strengthening state control and preventing abuses in this area.
It is expected that the scope of activities of private military companies will be quite broad: from the protection of strategic facilities, participation in peacekeeping operations, to demining, consulting, providing medical services in combat zones, training the military and supporting missions abroad.
What tasks does the draft law solve?
The draft law establishes requirements for entities engaged in international security activities and introduces licensing for companies wishing to carry out international activities in the military and security spheres, as well as determines the procedure for obtaining a special permit (license) to provide relevant services.
A state register of legal entities engaged in military and security activities will be created.
In addition, it defines the mechanisms of supervision and liability for violations of legislation in this area.
It is worth reminding that the Draft Law “On International Defense Companies” (No. 1214) has been under consideration in the Parliament for a year now, which also details the mechanism of establishment, licensing and direct activities of international defense companies in Ukraine, their legal status, governing bodies, the procedure for participation in defense activities in the interests of the state, etc.
Commenting on the draft law submitted to parliament a year ago, Maksym Zhorin, deputy commander of the Third Assault Brigade, called the idea “adequate and timely.”
“This is the best way forward for a country with so many veterans and war experience. It is an opportunity for the military to find themselves after serving in the army, earn normal money and continue to work in the field in which they are professionals,” said Zhorin.
At the same time, he noted that if this idea is implemented, one important point should be taken into account – “into whose hands this tool will fall, so that it does not turn from a good opportunity for veterans into a political or criminal story.”
