PUBLIC APPEAL
Open letter to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky
On the protection of the rights, freedoms, and legitimate interests of Ukrainian citizens who are military personnel during a special period.
Considering the factors listed below, as well as the official institutions’ disregard for appeals and proposals concerning the issue of terms of service, or the provision of standard “form letters,” the public organization “Intention” initiated an OPEN LETTER as officila request to the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy demanding that he intervene and influence the current situation!
The war in Ukraine has been going on for 10 years, with the third year being a full-scale war. Over the course of three years, about a million people have been mobilized, some of whom have signed contracts. Since February 24, 2022, people who have stood up to defend their country have no chance of being legally discharged, restoring their health, and legally returning to civilian life.
Studies of the effects of combat stress during the Afghan and Chechen wars show that in a combat situation, a person can be effective for up to 6 months, but after 7-12 months in combat, 61% of personnel experience persistent socio-psychological maladjustment (impaired ability to adapt to danger and the conditions of war) and reduced effectiveness.
Thus, the absence of fixed terms of service not only violates the rights, freedoms, and legitimate interests of military personnel, but also negatively affects their moral, psychological, and physical condition, as well as reducing the overall defense capability of the Ukrainian army!
In particular, a sociological survey conducted by Info Sapiens on behalf of Texty.org.ua indicates that 63.8% of respondents fear mobilization due to the absence of fixed terms of service. Thus, failure to resolve this issue worsens the situation with mobilization and replenishment of the army with new personnel!
Although the letter was sent via official mail and registered on the Government Contact Center portal, we did not receive a response within the time frame specified by law.
List of activists, public figures, and NGOs that signed the open letter.
We collected signatures for two months. In total, more than 150 signatories joined the public appeal, including 14 civil society organizations, three charitable foundations, a veterans’ association and a student union, three members of parliament, veterans, military personnel, journalists, volunteers, and other conscientious citizens of Ukraine.
NGO “Intention”
NGO “Legal Solutions Center”
NGO “One Planet”
“Strong 300” Association of Wounded Ukrainian Soldiers
NGO “Social Movement”
Yuriy Kamelchuk, Member of Parliament of Ukraine
NGO “Women Veterans Movement”
NGO “Aerial Reconnaissance Support Center”
NGO “Let’s Do It Together”
Petro Konoplya, Telegram channel: BOYOVA✙KONOPLYA
Alina Sarnatska, veteran of the Russian-Ukrainian war
Charitable Foundation for Social and Legal Support of Combatants
NSP LNU “Direct Action”
Volunteer initiative “We don’t leave our own behind”
Zayada Dariy Khaldunovich, founder of the Charitable Foundation named after Vadym Godovany
NGO “Veteran’s Axe”
NGO “Ukrainian Women’s Guard”
NGO “United Organization of Brothers in Arms”
NGO “Union of ATO Veterans”
Inna Sovsun, Member of Parliament of Ukraine
Oleksiy Goncharenko, Member of Parliament of Ukraine
NGO “Shumshchyna Veterans Movement”
International Charitable Foundation “Old Town Lviv”
NGO “Embassy of Artists”
NGO “Free and Faithful”
Requirements outlined in an open letter
1. Requirements regarding the activities and obligations of the Cabinet of Ministers
Prepare and issue a decree to the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine on the inclusion in the draft Law of Ukraine developed by the Ministry of Defense “On Amendments to Certain Laws of Ukraine Regarding the Improvement of Mechanisms for Replacement (Rotation), Determination of the Procedure and Conditions for Discharge from Military Service for Certain Categories of Military Personnel during Martial Law” (hereinafter referred to as the draft law) the terms, conditions, mechanisms, procedures, and guarantees for military personnel, namely the right to discharge after a fixed term of service, as well as the conditions and guarantees for timely rotations during service and the conditions and guarantees after service. Also, include in this decree an instruction to discuss the proposals from the signatories of this letter.
2. Request for open communication with society about the current state of the army and its needs
Address the people and the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine with messages on the internal and external situation of Ukraine, and emphasize that (Article 17) the protection of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity are the most important functions of the state, the responsibility of the entire Ukrainian people, and not only of volunteers who have independently joined the army. (Article 65) The defense of the Fatherland, independence, and territorial integrity of Ukraine is the duty of the citizens of Ukraine. Citizens perform military service in accordance with the law. This applies to every citizen of Ukraine, especially in the third year of the war. That is why fixed terms of service, the right to discharge, and the gradual replacement of active military personnel with other citizens who are to join the army in the next three months must be established.
3. Request regarding the responsibility of the Cabinet of Ministers
Submit a proposal to the Verkhovna Rada to consider the issue of the responsibility of the Cabinet of Ministers for the lack of consultation and communication with public organizations that sent their proposals to the draft law in accordance with Verkhovna Rada Resolution No. 11163 “On certain issues of performing military duty and military service under martial law” and the development of a corresponding draft law.
4. Requirement regarding the direct functions and responsibilities of the President
To designate the draft Law of Ukraine “On Amendments to Certain Laws of Ukraine Regarding the Improvement of Mechanisms for Replacement (Rotation), Determination of the Procedure and Conditions for Discharge from Military Service for Certain Categories of Military Personnel during Martial Law” developed by the Ministry of Defense as urgent, for consideration by the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on an extraordinary basis, and to veto any bill that is sent for signature but does not include the right to discharge after a fixed term of service, as well as conditions and guarantees for timely rotations during service, and conditions and guarantees after service under martial law.