Ombudsperson's rep persecuted after exposing mobilization abuses

Ukraine's human rights commissioner, Dmytro Lubinets, has denounced the persecution of his representative, Andrii Kriuchkov, in Zakarpattia Oblast for investigating abuses at a local military recruitment center. Lubinets stated that Kriuchkov documented numerous possible violations by the center's employees, but faced pressure instead of a proper response.

He received information that the head of the regional recruitment center attempted to initiate a criminal case against Kriuchkov, accusing him of obstructing the lawful conduct of the military. Lubinets emphasized that mobilization does not justify breaking the law or ignoring human dignity and that he received complaints alleging the mobilization of people with serious illnesses and disabilities, as well as the death of a mobilized individual at the center.

He argued that mobilizing the seriously ill does not strengthen the army and that persecuting those who report such issues is completely unacceptable. Lubinets concluded that a strong military is built on trust, law, and responsibility, and that every violation must receive a legal assessment, with accountability for those who break the law.