Mobilization, corruption and human rights in Ukraine: legal lessons from international experience
Main Article Content
Abstract
The article analyzes the legal regulation of mobilization in Ukraine during martial law in the context of Russian aggression, highlighting the problem of selective and uncontrolled mobilization, its compliance with constitutional guarantees and international standards (ICCPR, ECHR), as well as the impact of systemic corruption on defense capacity and democratic institutions. Based on a comparative analysis of the experiences of Israel, Switzerland, Finland, and South Korea, the study proposes legislative and institutional reforms: priority mobilization of trained specialists, transparent reporting and oversight, rotational service models, unification of deferments, and accountability of mobilization authorities.
Article Details
References
Al Jazeera. (2024, June 11). Israel's Knesset advances contentious ultra-Orthodox conscription law. Retrieved August 2, 2025, from https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/6/11/israels-knesset-advances-contentious-ultra-orthodox-conscription-law
AP News. (2025, July). Trust in Zelenskyy declines following rollback of anti-corruption law. Associated Press. Retrieved August 11, 2025, from https://apnews.com/article/66bd83681bb6df4ac9fe8335ede9385a
Constitution of Ukraine. (1996, with amendments). Constitution of Ukraine. Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. Retrieved August 7, 2025, from https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/254к/96-вр#Text
Council of Europe. (1950). European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). Retrieved August 10, 2025, from https://www.echr.coe.int/documents/convention_eng.pdf
Financial Times. (2025, July). Volodymyr Zelenskyy's unforced error. Retrieved August 9, 2025, from https://www.ft.com/content/3bfaae8f-8803-4371-a891-fa9813e2bcbb
Finland’s National Defence Service Act (2007/2019) ensures that all male citizens are liable for service, with transparent criteria for alternative civilian service (Finland, 2007/2019). from https://www.finlex.fi/en/laki/kaannokset/2007/en20071438.pdf
FOI Swedish Defence Research Agency. (2025). Ukraine’s law on mobilisation (FOI Memo 8786). Retrieved August 3, 2025, from https://foi.se/rest-api/report/FOI%20Memo%208786
Holovkin, B. M., Semenyshyn, M., Tavolzhanskyi, O. V., Lysodyed, O. V., & Smetanina, N. V. (2023). Fight against corruption-related crimes in wartime in Ukraine. International Annals of Criminology. Cambridge University Press. Retrieved August 7, 2025, from https://doi.org/10.1017/cri.2023.31 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/cri.2023.31
Israel. (1986). Security Service Law, 5746–1986. State of Israel. Retrieved August 3, 2025, from https://www.nevo.co.il/law_html/law01/190_001.htm
J Street. (2025, July 25). Israel's conscription crisis – The debate over the ultra-Orthodox draft law. Retrieved August 6, 2025, from https://jstreet.org/israels-conscription-crisis-the-debate-over-the-ultra-orthodox-draft-law/
Le Monde (2024, October 3). Ukraine is employing increasingly controversial methods for mobilization. Retrieved August 8, 2025, from https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2024/10/03/ukraine-is-employing-increasingly-controversial-methods-for-mobilization_6728127_4.html
Republic of Korea. (1957/2023). Military Service Act (Act No. 4219, amended up to 2023). Korea Ministry of Government Legislation. Retrieved August 6, 2025, from https://elaw.klri.re.kr/eng_service/lawView.do?hseq=56344&lang=ENG
Statsenko A. (2025a), Restriction of Human Rights During Martial Law in Ukraine: Legal Framework and the Problem of Unlimited Mobilization (May 08, 2025). Права людини та демократія : зб. наук. ст. та тез за матеріалами наук.-практ. конф., присвяч. Дню Європи (м. Харків, 9 трав. 2025 р.) ISBN 978-617-8612-03-0, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=5341382
Statsenko, A. (2025b). Dismantling the Independence of Anti-Corruption Agencies in Ukraine: Legal Analysis and Implications for Reforms and European Integration. Collection of Scientific Papers «ΛΌГOΣ», (August 1, 2025; Seoul, South Korea), 49–59. https://doi.org/10.36074/logos-01.08.2025.008 DOI: https://doi.org/10.36074/logos-01.08.2025.008
Switzerland. (1995/2016). Federal Act on the Armed Forces and the Military Administration (Military Act, SR 510.10). Federal Council of Switzerland. Retrieved August 5, 2025, from https://www.fedlex.admin.ch/eli/cc/1999/404/en
The Guardian. (2024, June 25). Israeli court rules ultra-Orthodox men must be drafted for military service. Retrieved August 1, 2025, from https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/jun/25/israeli-court-rules-ultra-orthodox-men-can-be-drafted-for-military-service
Timofieieva, L. (2025). Proportionality in countering corruption in Ukraine in the post-war period: A case study of Odesa. Journal of Illicit Economies and Development, 6(2), 73-88. Retrieved August 13, 2025, from doi:10.31389/jied.234 DOI: https://doi.org/10.31389/jied.234
United Nations. (1966). International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). Treaty Series, 999 U.N.T.S. 171. Retrieved August 10, 2025, from https://www.ohchr.org/en/instruments-mechanisms/instruments/international-covenant-civil-and-political-rights
United Nations Human Rights Committee (UN HRC). (2001). General Comment No. 29: States of emergency (Article 4), CCPR/C/21/Rev.1/Add.11. Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. Retrieved August 10, 2025, from https://www.ohchr.org/en/treaty-bodies/ccpr/general-comments
Venice Commission. (2021). Opinion on the measures taken in the EU member states as a result of the COVID-19 crisis and their impact on democracy, the rule of law and fundamental rights (CDL-AD(2021)018). Council of Europe. Retrieved August 9, 2025, from https://www.venice.coe.int/webforms/documents/default.aspx?pdffile=CDL-AD(2021)018-e
Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. (1992/2024). Law of Ukraine “On Military Duty and Military Service” (No. 2232-XII, as amended). Retrieved August 7, 2025, from https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/2232-12#Text
Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. (1993/2024). Law of Ukraine “On Mobilization Preparation and Mobilization” (No. 3543-XII, as amended). Retrieved August 7, 2025, from https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/3543-12#Text
Washington Post. (2025, July 23). Ukrainians protest as Zelensky cracks down on corruption watchdogs. Retrieved August 11, 2025, from https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/07/23/ukraine-corruption-protests-zelensky-parliament/
