Zelenskyy selects candidate for Military Ombudsman
A decree on appointing the President's Commissioner for the Protection of the Rights of Military Personnel and their Families is ready and will be published soon, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Sunday, December 29.
"There was a request from our military, and it is an objective necessity — to create a special institution of a Military Ombudsman. We need a person who can effectively protect the rights of our warriors and such a systemic capacity so that the ombudsman, together with the Ministry of Defense and all the others who are needed, can really influence the situation and really help warriors and the families of our warriors. We discussed the creation of this institution with the Minister of Defense of Ukraine, the military command, and representatives of civil society. Many perspectives were considered. Now, the first decision has been prepared — a decree on appointing the President’s Commissioner for the Protection of the Rights of Military Personnel and their Families," he said in a video address.
The head of state explained that it is necessary to prepare for the launch of the ombudsman's institution.
"I have selected a candidate – a strong candidate. The decree will be published tomorrow [December 30]," he said.
Zelenskyy added that together with the new commissioner, the human rights community, and the Ministry of Defense, a corresponding bill on the Military Ombudsman will be drafted and the institutional framework for its operation — powers, finances, and other issues – will be established.
He urged the Verkhovna Rada and the government to promptly support the innovations that will be proposed.
