Defending the state is a duty: Zelenskyy responded to a petition to leave for men
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy responded to a petition to lift the ban on conscripts leaving Ukraine during martial law.
The answer is posted on the website of the Official Internet Representation of the President of Ukraine.
The petition was made public on May 18. Its author is Odesa human rights activist and public figure Oleksandr Gumirov.
She received more than 27 thousand votes (for the minimum required 25 thousand).
The key requirements of the petition are:
- Lift the ban on men aged 18 to 60 leaving Ukraine by returning the free border crossing.
- Introduce the priority of recruiting volunteers during mobilization.
- Strengthen the accountability of military enlistment offices and border crossings for possible corruption offenses (the petitioner claims that some men are allegedly released abroad for bribes).
In response to the petition, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reminded that according to Ukrainian law, the protection of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity is the duty of all citizens, and that human rights and freedoms may be restricted during martial law.
– With regard to the issues raised in the petition, I note that in accordance with Article 17 of the Constitution of Ukraine, the protection of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the state is a matter for the entire Ukrainian people. According to Article 65 of the Basic Law of Ukraine, the protection of the Fatherland, independence and territorial integrity is the duty of the citizens of Ukraine. Article 33 of the Constitution enshrines the right of everyone who is legally on the territory of Ukraine to leave it freely … Such a right under Article 64 of the Constitution may be limited in a state of war or emergency, – said Zelenskyy.
He added that these restrictions will be lifted after the end of martial law.
The President also reminded that the procedure for going abroad during martial law is determined by the Cabinet of Ministers. In addition, the government determines the procedure for mobilization.
Therefore, the head of state instructed Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal to address the issues raised in the petition.
– I appealed to the Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal to comprehensively process the proposals violated in the electronic petition, paying special attention to respect for the constitutional rights of citizens, prevention and detection of possible corruption-related offenses, in particular among border guards and territorial centers of staffing and social support, – said Zelenskyy.
He clarified that the author of the petition will be informed about the results of the consideration of the issues.
As you know, during martial law, leaving Ukraine is prohibited for men aged 18 to 60 years. However, there are exceptions: such as unfitness for military service, the presence of three or more minor children, care for persons or a child with disabilities, and so on.
In the near future, the government may allow another category of men to go abroad – IT specialists.
