On February 7, the Verkhovna Rada supported the draft law No. 10449 “On Amendments to Certain Legislative Acts of Ukraine on Certain Issues of Military Service, Mobilization and Military Registration”. “The League of the Strong” has received many inquiries from members of the community regarding the proposed regulations. The lawyers of the union analyzed the draft law and identified the main points that could lead to violations of the rights of people with disabilities. The League of the Strong sent a letter with proposals to the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Social Policy and Veterans’ Rights. This was reported by Daria Sydorenko, executive director of the League of the Strong public union.
“Nothing about us without us. This principle should be taken into account when amending the law on mobilization. After all, the document contains clauses that can lead to violations of the rights of people with disabilities. The new rules abolish the grounds for exemption from mobilization due to the presence of a person with a disability in the family – a wife, mother, or father. And families have to prove the need for care. This narrows their rights and puts new barriers in front of them, instead of protecting and supporting them,” said Daria Sydorenko, executive director of The League of the Strong NGO.
To be exempted from mobilization, it is necessary to prove that there are no other persons who could care for a person with a disability, as well as the need for constant care, the draft law says.
The new version of the draft law also makes it unclear how people with disabilities will be able to prove the need for care under the new rules. This can lead to delays and additional difficulties for those in need of care. It could also overload medical commissions and create problems for other people who need to establish disabilities.
“Amendments to the law on mobilization require a deeper discussion with the public and the development of fair rules that will not discriminate against people with disabilities and ensure their rights and needs under martial law,” added Daria Sydorenko, executive director of The League of the Strong NGO.