How the UNBA is developing a legal support system for war victims
The UNBA Committee on the protection of victims of armed aggression against Ukraine, compensation mechanisms and European integration legal support for recovery in the Context of European Integration held an off-site meeting in Mykolaiv.
The discussion focused on the initial results of the «Advocate+» project, the development of digital tools for filing complaints, the preparation of guidance materials, and proposals for amendments to subordinate legislation.
The «Advocate+» project has already completed its first month in a pilot format. Its essence lies in assigning advocates to military units to provide primary legal assistance to service members and their family members. The Committee decided to continue the pilot and expand it to other brigades.
Service members and their families need assistance not only with issues related to military service, payments, medical boards, document restoration, or the status of family members of deceased service members. Some inquiries also concern civilian matters — family, inheritance, credit, and other issues that remain relevant regardless of military service.
The «Advocate+» project’s digital platform was also presented. It is designed to simplify access to primary legal aid for service members, veterans, and their family members. Through the platform, users can submit a request for a consultation, specify their military unit, and describe the issue they are seeking assistance with. The platform will also feature practical resources and provide an opportunity for advocates to join the project.
Another area of the Committee’s work has been the preparation of methodological materials. These address issues related to military service, obtaining status, financial support, social guarantees, rehabilitation, housing, discharge from service, as well as action plans for families of missing, captured, and deceased service members.
Meeting participants also discussed the need for systematic legal support for individuals returning from captivity or from temporarily occupied territories. Such individuals often face challenges in restoring documents, confirming legal status, receiving benefits, accessing medical treatment, rehabilitation, and social guarantees.
Based on the collected appeals and practical cases, the Committee prepared a package of proposals for amendments to government resolutions and ministerial orders.
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