The Cabinet of Ministers has approved a draft law aimed at strengthening the rights of service members who report corruption
The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has supported draft legislation to strengthen safeguards for service members reporting suspected corruption or corruption-related offenses.
These amendments aim to improve transparency in the Defence Forces, provide every service member with a secure mechanism for reporting corruption, and ensure strong protection against retaliation or coercion. This is another step toward building an effective and modern army where there is no room for corruption or abuse,” said Denys Shmyhal, Minister of Defence of Ukraine.
The amendments introduce the following:
- Granting service members the right to report potential corruption or corruption-related offenses to authorized units or officials responsible for preventing and detecting corruption;
- Securing the right of service members acting as whistleblowers to determine the reporting channel at their discretion, including direct submission to the National Agency for Corruption Prevention;
- Providing an exemption from the duty to report such incidents to the immediate commander (superior officer).
“The adoption of this draft law is an important step in guaranteeing the protection of the rights of service members who report possible incidents of corruption or corruption-related offenses within military structures. We must ensure that every service member can safely report corruption-related violations and be guaranteed protection,” said Colonel of Justice Serhii Stepanian, Director of the Ministry of Defence’s Department for the Prevention and Detection of Corruption.
The implementation of these amendments will improve transparency in military structures, reinforce mechanisms for preventing corruption, and ensure reliable protection for whistleblowers against potential retaliation or pressure.