Government backs bill to strengthen rights of servicemembers exposing corruption

The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has supported a bill to enhance the protection of rights for servicemembers who report potential corruption or corruption-related offences.

“The aim of these changes is to increase transparency within the Defence Forces, ensure every servicemember has a safe mechanism to report corruption, and provide reliable protection from persecution or pressure. This is another step towards building an effective and modern army where corruption and abuse have no place,” stated Minister of Defence Denys Shmyhal.

The changes include:

• Granting servicemembers the right to report potential corruption or related offences to authorised units or individuals responsible for preventing and detecting corruption;
• Establishing the right of servicemember whistleblowers to freely choose their reporting channel, including directly contacting the National Agency on Corruption Prevention;
• Introducing an exception to the obligation to report such matters to their immediate commander or chief.

“The adoption of this bill is a crucial step towards ensuring the protection of rights for servicemembers who report potential corruption or corruption-related offences within military structures. We must provide every servicemember with the ability to safely report corrupt practices and guarantee their protection,” said Colonel of Justice Serhii Stepanian, Director of the Department for Prevention and Detection of Corruption at the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine.

The implementation of these changes will enhance transparency within military structures, strengthen anti-corruption mechanisms, and ensure robust protection for whistleblowers against potential persecution or pressure.