With legislation for the establishment of an Armed Forces Commissioner making its way through the UK Parliament, it is interesting to note that the President of Ukraine has appointed Ms Olha Reshetylova to be the countrys' first Military Ombudsman, or 'President’s Commissioner for the Protection of the Rights of Military Personnel and their Families'.
The announcement led President Zelensky's Address on 29th December:
"There was a request from our military, and it is an objective necessity — to create a special institution of a Military Ombudsman. We need a person who can effectively protect the rights of our warriors and such a systemic capacity so that the ombudsman, together with the Ministry of Defense and all the others who are needed, can really influence the situation and really help warriors and the families of our warriors. We discussed the creation of this institution with the Minister of Defense of Ukraine, the military command, and representatives of civil society. Many perspectives were considered...
...Together with the new commissioner, the human rights community, and the Ministry of Defense, we will draft a corresponding bill on the Military Ombudsman and establish the institutional framework for its operation — powers, finances, and everything else. I urge the Verkhovna Rada [Parliament] of Ukraine and the Government to promptly support the innovations that will be proposed. We must launch the Military Ombudsman’s work shortly. I thank everyone who helps."
This is national business for Ukraine, but we wish Ms Reshetylova all the best in her new appointment. Subject to the necessary legislation in each country, she and the yet-to-be appointed UK Armed Forces Commissioner will no doubt meet in time to come.