In 2021, the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyi, may cancel the mandatory call-up of conscripts and reserve officers, forming a contract army on a voluntary basis. Instead of conscripts, the Armed Forces of Ukraine will be strengthened by the system of territorial defense and the forces of the constant readiness reserve. The "ElitExpert" agency discussed the situation with the well-known Ukrainian lawyer, manager of the "Shavrov and Partners" law firm, Igor Shavrov.
"Usually, the call takes place twice an hour - in April and October. But in the new draft law, President Volodymyr Zelenskyi proposes that by introducing a contract army, they can give themselves the power to declare calls by their own decree or do not do it. In order to cancel the annual spring and autumn drafts, the president does not need to make any changes to the laws. To cancel conscription in Ukraine, Zelensky should simply stop issuing the annual decree on the conscription of citizens under the age of 27 for military service," the lawyer noted.
In connection with the abolition of annual compulsory conscription into the army, the order of military registration in Ukraine does not change, and the obligations of conscripts and conscripts before military enlistment offices are preserved in full.
The main changes proposed in the bill:
First, there is a ban on hiring a person without a military ID. An employer cannot sign an employment contract with a man without this document.
"In general, in our opinion, this violates the Constitution, in particular the right to work. The Constitution does not say anything about the fact that the right to work and the right to provide for one's family can be limited due to the absence of a receipt from the military enlistment office," Igor Shavrov noted.
Secondly, it is easier to call up reservists. They are allocated to a separate category, which can be mobilized in a short time - in one day - by presidential decree. And in any army - from the Armed Forces to the National Guard - but not for more than six months. Reservists are people who have already served or fought.
Thirdly, fines for violating the rules of military accounting are raised 6-7 times. For example, for failure to appear at the military enlistment office on a summons, untimely registration, violation of the reservist assembly order, loss of military documents or their damage. Also, the prison term for evasion is increased by an hour - from two to three years.
Fourthly, the draft law allows the police to take young men to the military registration office. Previously, the police did not have such rights (although this was done everywhere during the seasonal "catch" of conscripts). Now, after transferring the name of the defector to the police, upon his arrest, she can send him directly to the service.
"Let's be honest, many residents of Ukraine do not want to join the army, and thus the draft law tightens the responsibility of conscripts. Now this draft law is postponed, but with a high probability, then it will still be introduced," concluded Igor Shavrov.
