Territorial recruitment centers cannot detain citizens – Ombudsman

Any restriction of liberty in territorial recruitment and social support centers (TRC/SSC) without a court decision contradicts the Constitution of Ukraine and Article 5 of the European Convention on Human Rights.

This was stated by the Ukrainian Parliament’s Commissioner for Human Rights, Dmytro Lubinets, during a meeting of the Parliamentary Temporary Investigative Commission on potential violations in defense, anti-corruption legislation, and the protection of human rights during martial law, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

“We always emphasize that TRC officials do not have the authority to detain or hold individuals. Any restriction of liberty at TRC/SSC facilities without a court ruling directly violates the Constitution of Ukraine and Article 5 of the European Convention on Human Rights,” he said.

Lubinets also noted that recently the Ombudsman’s Office has recorded that TRC/SSC staff often operate without identification badges. In 2025, there were numerous cases of personnel concealing their faces, making it impossible to identify individuals responsible for potential violations of citizens’ rights.

“We have repeatedly documented that so-called ‘detentions,’ document checks, and restrictions of liberty are carried out exclusively by TRC/SSC notification groups, without the physical presence of national police officers. This is a direct violation of the rights of Ukrainian citizens, because according to current legislation, only law enforcement agencies are authorized to check documents,” he said.

In addition, Lubinets drew attention to the inadequate conditions at some TRC/SSC assembly points.

“We document individuals staying in facilities not suitable for prolonged presence, without proper sleeping arrangements, organized meals, and often without basic sanitary standards, or facilities are not designed to accommodate the number of people physically present,” he said.

As previously reported by Ukrinform, during 2025 the Ombudsman’s Office received 6,127 complaints regarding potential violations of citizens’ rights during mobilization activities.