The Verkhovna Rada Clarified Details of the Controversial Bill on the National Guard.

Changes in the Draft Law on the Powers of the National Guard of Ukraine

The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine provided explanations regarding draft law No. 10311, which concerns the powers of the National Guard of Ukraine. Members of Parliament will examine the limits of the use of coercive measures by National Guard servicemen during the second reading.

According to the Verkhovna Rada, the draft law allows National Guard servicemen to use physical force, special means, firearms, and military equipment in cases where it is necessary to carry out tasks related to the protection of public order, the convoying of detainees, the defense of strategic facilities, and ensuring security.

Currently, the use of coercive measures by National Guard servicemen is regulated by normative legal acts of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, but the new draft law stipulates that such issues will be resolved exclusively at the level of a specialized law.

Specifically, the draft law clearly defines the conditions for the use of coercive measures, stating that National Guard servicemen must act in accordance with the principles of legality, necessity, proportionality, and efficiency. They must also warn offenders and cease the use of force after objectives are achieved.

It is prohibited for National Guard servicemen to strike with rubber batons on certain parts of the body, use means of restricting movement for more than two hours continuously, employ tear gas and irritants in aimed shooting, as well as use means of forced stopping of vehicles in areas with limited visibility. The draft law also establishes permissible norms for the use of special means that must comply with acceptable parameters for the human body.

Draft law No. 10311 aims to amend the law 'On the National Guard of Ukraine' for the legal application of force by National Guard servicemen.

The procedure for carrying, storage, accounting, and use of special means will be determined by the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine.