Ukraine is considering new norms regarding the criminal responsibility of officials in territorial recruitment centers (TRC) and military medical commissions (MMC) who violate mobilization procedures. This concerns situations of illegal conscription, unjustified recognition of unfitness, or unlawful exemption of citizens from service, as well as non-compliance with the procedure for conducting medical examinations.
This is reported by Finway
Changes to the Criminal Code
The relevant draft law No. 12442 has been supported by the committee on law enforcement activities. The document proposes amendments to the Criminal Code of Ukraine, establishing separate criminal liability for the heads of TRCs, members, and chairs of military medical commissions for violations during mobilization procedures and the medical selection of conscripts.
According to the draft, penalties may be applied in cases where:
- officials illegally conscript a citizen for military service;
- unjustifiably declare a person unfit for service;
- unlawfully exempt someone from military duties;
- violate the procedure for conducting military medical examinations that determine fitness for military service.
Expanded Responsibility and Motivation for Innovations
The draft law stipulates that responsibility extends not only to military personnel but also to members of ad hoc military medical and flight medical commissions.
“The need for changes is related to identified violations in the work of TRCs and MMCs. Among them are cases of illegal conscription of citizens, improper processing of deferments, and violations of medical examination procedures. Such situations, according to the initiative’s authors, affect the quality of staffing the Defense Forces and undermine trust in the mobilization process.”
The main goal of the innovation is to implement clear rules and increase the accountability of all officials involved in mobilization activities. If adopted, the law will come into effect the day after its official publication.