The inaction of investigators has resulted in the initiation of proceedings regarding discrimination against a war veteran in Eastern Ukraine

Almost six months have passed since our publication about Vasil Korol, the head of the public organization «Aidar for War Veterans», who still has property in the occupied Luhansk and who participated in the elimination of separatist groups in the town of Novoaidar in 2014, sustaining serious injuries. The man has been compelled to fight with officials to claim what is rightfully his by law.

Over the past four years, Korol has repeatedly reported discrimination in the consideration of his issues to two Presidents of Ukraine, the Human Rights Ombudsman in the Verkhovna Rada, the Ombudsman for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in the Verkhovna Rada, several Attorneys General of Ukraine, Ministers of Social Policy, and governors of the Volyn region. In November, the volunteer decided to seek compensation for moral damages from the National Police of Ukraine through the court, amounting to 1 million UAH, 170,000 UAH, and 100,000 UAH. Last week, Mr. Korol succeeded in initiating criminal proceedings on the grounds of discrimination against him as a veteran of the Russian-Ukrainian war under Article 161, Part 3, of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

«European anti-discrimination documents prohibit differential treatment based on certain ‘protected grounds. For instance, would I experience more favorable treatment if I had a different financial status? Considering the realities of Ukraine, having a financial status similar to public officials, whom I constantly approach for my constitutional rights, I should expect to be treated with great respect in Ukraine. However, I face disrespectful treatment», – explains Korol, outlining his position. «Another question: «Would my situation be different based on some other protected characteristic/status?» Assuming that tomorrow I marry the Prosecutor General of Ukraine, Iryna Valentynivna, my issues would likely vanish by the end of the day! «Would the situation change if we swap the «wrongdoer» and the victim?» I would answer – it would change, as it did in 2014 in the Luhansk region when, along with the Security Service of Ukraine and Ukrainian counterintelligence, we ‘swapped’ a wrongdoer for a victim – liberating several Ukrainian settlements. And the last thing I want to say is: «Is such a situation typical?» I emphasize that the unlawful, discriminatory actions against me as a war veteran are atypical, uncommon, and socially unacceptable, which is why I demand the protection of my rights».

«Active Citizens» continue to monitor the case of veteran Vasyl Korol and will keep readers informed of any developments in his matters.

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