Dmytro Lubinets, the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, has made public statements regarding identified offenses and potential corruption schemes within the activities of Territorial Recruitment and Social Support Centers (TCC and SP). In his reports, the Ombudsman highlights facts of possible abuse of power, as well as incidents involving the conscription of citizens with illnesses or health limitations.
Reports of Corruption Schemes in the Mobilization Process
According to the Human Rights Commissioner, during the monitoring of citizens' rights during notification events, information was recorded about systematic extortion and the receipt of undue benefits. According to the cited claims, the amounts of undue benefits range from 10,000 to 20,000 US dollars. This concerns facts of offering and extorting money to evade mobilization procedures at various stages: from checking military registration documents to staying at assembly points.
As the Ombudsman noted, such corrupt manifestations lead to a distortion of the principles of social justice. As a result, mobilization activities affect citizens who do not have financial resources to a greater extent, while wealthy individuals may evade conscription.
At present, the authorized law enforcement agencies — the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI), the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU), and the National Police — continue to carry out procedural actions and pre-trial investigations into a number of identified cases of abuse in regional TCC and SP.
Violations During Medical Examinations
As an example of violations of procedural norms during military-medical commissions (MMC), the Ombudsman cited an incident that occurred in the Zakarpattia region. According to the statement, a 59-year-old citizen was removed from a train during document verification events. After this, despite having medical documents and limited fitness due to health status, he was processed through the district TCC.
It is reported that due to the health condition and pre-retirement age of the conscript, several military units initially refused to accept him into their ranks. This calls into question the effectiveness and legality of the actions of TCC employees in this case.
Legal Context and Position of the Departments
According to current Ukrainian legislation, conscription for military service by mobilization is carried out exclusively on the basis of the conclusion of a military-medical commission on the citizen's fitness for service. Facts of exceeding authority, seizure of documents, or ignoring medical diagnoses are subject to investigation by the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) and the Military Law Enforcement Service (MLFS).
Official bodies emphasize that any violations in this area are investigated within the framework of the law, and persons guilty of abuses will be held accountable.
