From: New Voice of Ukraine 🇺🇦
Ukraine has introduced a military ombudsman role to protect service members’ rights, with Olha Reshetylova appointed to the position, BBC Ukraine reports on Jan. 2.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has appointed Olha Reshetylova as the Presidential Commissioner for the Protection of Servicemen’s Rights, a newly created role aimed at modernizing personnel management in Ukraine’s Defense Forces.
Reshetylova, a prominent human rights advocate, described the role as the most challenging task of her life, adding that she had worked on the law establishing the ombudsman’s office and was surprised by her appointment.
The position, announced by Zelenskyy in November 2024 as part of his sustainability plan, still lacks the necessary draft law for full implementation.
Human rights advocates, including lawyer Masi Nayyem, have called for the office to operate independently of the Ministry of Defense and General Staff to ensure effectiveness.
BBC Ukraine reports that Reshetylova and experts see the role as critical for addressing the imbalance between the military’s duties and their rights.
Voice of Ukraine 