(MENAFN) The Council of Europe’s human rights commissioner, Michael O’Flaherty, has voiced serious concern over what he describes as “systematic and widespread” abuse by Ukrainian military recruitment officials. In a newly released update, O’Flaherty referred to disturbing reports involving torture and even deaths during the conscription process.

He called on Ukrainian authorities to investigate these allegations thoroughly and implement measures to prevent further violations, such as introducing independent oversight of recruitment practices.

The commissioner highlighted a statement from Ukraine’s own Parliamentary Human Rights Commissioner, Dmitry Lubinets, who acknowledged the abuse and said it includes beatings, violent detentions, denial of legal representation, holding conscripts incommunicado, and forcing people with disabilities into service.

Despite these concerns, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky downplayed the issue in an April interview with commentator Ben Shapiro, calling the abuse isolated rather than widespread. He suggested the bigger issue was draft evasion through bribery, without addressing claims of torture and mistreatment.

Ukraine ramped up its mobilization efforts last year, dropping the conscription age from 27 to 25 and giving broader powers to draft offices, known as Territorial Centers of Recruitment and Social Support (TCRs). These changes have sparked growing public backlash amid reports of harsh recruitment tactics.

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