Lubyenets After Monitoring Uzhhorod TCC: Such Facilities Have Become Places of Unfreedom

Dmytro Lubyenets, the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights, recently conducted a monitoring visit to the Uzhhorod District Territorial Center for Recruitment and Social Support (TCC and SS), where he found alarming human rights violations. According to Lubyenets, the conditions under which military personnel are held in this facility resemble those found in places of unfreedom, a situation he deems absolutely unacceptable.

In a statement published on his official Facebook page, Lubyenets emphasized that the center disregards the evident health issues of the servicemen. He cited the case of a man with a physical disability who, despite his condition, continued to be held in the facility. It was only after the intervention of an ombudsman representative that an ambulance was called for this man, who was suffering from dangerously high blood pressure—190 over 100. He had been pleading for help for several days, and ultimately, he was hospitalized with life-threatening conditions.

Lubyenets pointed out that the mobilization system in the country has morphed into a mechanism of impunity. He stated that the premises of the TCC and SS have become places where individuals are deprived of their liberty without any legal basis. "There is still a perception in society that raising such issues means playing into Russian propaganda. In reality, it is the lawlessness that plays into the hands of the enemy, as legal protection mechanisms are not functioning, and the situation is deteriorating day by day," the ombudsman stressed.

Furthermore, Lubyenets reported that individuals at the Uzhhorod TCC had been held for weeks. Documented cases showed that servicemen were detained for periods of 21, 24, 30, and even 50 days. In one video, a veteran displaying his combatant identification was unable to secure his release despite his status. The center had been confiscating documents and phones from individuals without proper procedures, stripping them of their rights to defense.

The conditions within the Uzhhorod TCC, according to Lubyenets, are degrading to human dignity. For 40 to 60 individuals in the facility, there are only three cups and eight metal plates, forcing people to eat in turns from a single dish without proper sanitation. Additionally, there is no evidence of organized food provision. The situation regarding sanitation is critical: for such a number of people, there is only one toilet and one shower, and bedding is nonexistent.

Lubyenets emphasized that if significant changes are not made to the mobilization process, the situation will only worsen. "Defense capabilities cannot be built on gross violations of the Constitution," he added, highlighting the importance of upholding human rights during mobilization.

At the same time, the ombudsman noted that while mobilization is necessary, it must occur strictly within the legal framework. This aspect is critically important for ensuring the rights of servicemen and maintaining morale within the army.

It is worth mentioning that the head of the President's Office, Kyrylo Budanov, believes that changing the format of the TCC will not affect the mobilization process. However, according to Lubyenets, urgent measures must be taken to improve the conditions for holding servicemen in such centers to prevent further human rights violations.