Zelenskyy selects candidate for military ombudsman: decree to be issued on 30 December. VIDEO
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced that he has selected a candidate for the post of military ombudsman. The relevant decree on the appointment will be published on Monday, 30 December.
The head of state said this in an evening video address, Censor.NET reports.
Zelenskyy said that there had been a request from servicemen to establish a military ombudsman institution.
"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 Defence and all others who are needed, can really influence the situation and really help the soldiers and the families of our soldiers," the President said.
The President discussed the establishment of the military ombudsman institution with the Minister of Defence 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 (30 December - ed.)," Zelenskyy said.
The Head of State noted that together with the new Commissioner, the human rights community and the Ministry of Defence, the relevant draft law on the military ombudsman, as well as the relevant systemic foundations of its activities: powers, finances and everything else, will be agreed upon.
"I ask the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine and the government to support the innovations that will be proposed in a timely manner. We must start the work of the military ombudsman soon. I thank everyone who helps," the Head of State added.
Earlier it was reported that on 3 December, during a report to President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the Minister of Defence of Ukraine Rustem Umierov presented the concept of introducing the institution of a military ombudsman. The document will soon be submitted to the Verkhovna Rada for consideration.
