Following legislative changes, more than 12,000 citizens released on parole joined the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in 2024. They signed contracts and are serving alongside other citizens in combat positions, defending the state.
However, a year and a half of practice has revealed discriminatory provisions in the legislation. This category of service members is currently subject to artificial restrictions on basic rights. Compared to other soldiers, they:
- Are denied the right to rest and medical treatment: they have no access to annual leave or post-captivity leave, and face restrictions on the choice of treatment facility as determined by the Military Medical Commission (MMC).
- Face a transfer block: they cannot be transferred to other units, even when medically cleared for rear service only.
- Have no grounds for discharge: even upon reaching the maximum age limit, being assigned a disability status, or returning from captivity.
- Are subject to gender discrimination: women in this category are denied the right to discharge or leave in connection with pregnancy, childbirth, or childcare.
Principle Human Rights Center for the Military researched these systemic issues and developed solutions to address them. Draft Law No. 15225 of 11.05.2026, registered in the Verkhovna Rada, incorporates the recommendations of our lawyers.
The draft law proposes to close these gaps through amendments to the Laws of Ukraine "On the Social and Legal Protection of Military Personnel and Their Families" and "On Military Duty and Military Service." The amendments introduce annual leave and additional post-captivity leave, expand options for leave during medical treatment, establish a mechanism for transfer to other units of the Armed Forces, provide additional grounds for discharge, and grant female service members leave for pregnancy and childbirth.
As a human rights organisation, we emphasise that implementing these changes is not about granting privileges — it is about eliminating legal inequality. A state that has recruited people for its defence is obliged to guarantee them basic social and legal protections. Discrimination within the defence forces is unacceptable and may affect the country's defence capability.
We call on Members of the Verkhovna Rada to support Draft Law No. 15225 of 11.05.2026 on Amendments to Certain Laws of Ukraine Regarding Military Service by Persons Released on Parole for Contract Military Service.