The UNBA and the Ministry of Veterans are expanding their cooperation

War veterans, their family members, as well as the family members of fallen Defenders of Ukraine are to receive improved access to professional legal assistance and additional opportunities for independent legal protection.

This is the aim of the Memorandum of cooperation signed by the Ministry of Veterans Affairs of Ukraine and the Ukrainian National Bar Association.

Andriy Yermak, chairman of the UNBA Committee on the protection of victims of armed aggression against Ukraine, compensation mechanisms and European integration legal support for recovery, also participated in the signing of the memorandum.

The purpose of the document is to coordinate joint actions and consolidate the parties’ efforts to adequately address the needs of war veterans and their families regarding access to professional legal assistance, ensure respect for human rights and freedoms and the rights of veterans, and guarantee their access to independent legal protection provided by advocates. Separately, the Memorandum covers the promotion of legal protection for persons affected by armed aggression.

Among the key areas of cooperation is promoting access to justice for war veterans and their families, in particular by identifying systemic barriers and preparing proposals for their elimination.

It also provides for the development and implementation of quality standards for the provision of legal aid, as well as participation in the work of consultative and advisory bodies, in particular the Expert Group on access to justice for war veterans and their families.

A separate area of cooperation involves participation in drafting proposals for draft laws and other regulatory acts, state programs, and action plans, as well as ensuring their alignment with European Union law. Based on the results of this collaboration, the parties will prepare joint recommendations, analytical materials, and proposals.

Cooperation is also planned regarding the development of digital services in the field of veteran support, particularly regarding access to legal aid.

In addition, the parties will organize joint events (seminars, training sessions, roundtables) for advocates, judges, and other legal institutions on the specifics of working with war veterans within the framework of initiatives in the field of legal protection and access to justice.