«Advocate+» has expanded its operations to include the 31st military brigade
The «Advocate+» project has expanded its operations from three pilot brigades to 31 military brigades. This week, new units of the National Guard of Ukraine joined the initiative, and more than 60 advocates from various regions of Ukraine are providing legal assistance as part of the project.
Chairman of the UNBA Committee on the protection of victims of armed aggression against Ukraine, compensation mechanisms and European integration Andriy Yermak reported on the project’s results during a meeting of the Bar Council of Ukraine on September 25.
According to him, in the last month alone, the project’s advocates processed 308 requests from military personnel and their family members. Assistance is provided by specialists who understand the context of the relevant unit’s operations and can follow up on cases until a resolution is reached.
One example of this work was the collaboration with the National Guard’s «Khartiia» corps. The «Advocate+» team, together with military personnel, developed the legal framework for establishing a separate Center for Recruiting Foreigners and Stateless Persons within the National Guard. In September, the government approved the creation of such a center.
During the Committee’s field meeting in Kharkiv, representatives of «Khartiia», the 79th Separate Airborne Assault Brigade, the 121st Separate Territorial Defense Brigade, and the 93rd Separate Mechanized Brigade «Kholodny Yar» spoke about the challenges of military service. Following the meetings, a representative of the 121st Brigade, together with an advocate, prepared a package of proposals regarding amendments to Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No. 168 of February 28, 2022, and Ministry of Defense Order No. 260 of June 7, 2018.
During its term, the Committee has prepared and submitted more than 30 proposals for legislative amendments. These proposals pertain, in particular, to payments, discharge from military service, medical treatment, and medical examinations for individuals released from captivity, as well as housing and other issues.
Separately, the Committee prepared a package of 12 proposals for Cabinet of Ministers resolutions and ministerial orders regarding the protection of Ukrainian businesses that have suffered as a result of armed aggression. According to A. Yermak, a significant portion of these changes can be implemented at the level of subordinate legislation without going through a separate legislative procedure in parliament.
The Committee plans to continue expanding «Advocate+» and to recruit new teams and advocates from all regions of Ukraine.
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