The Coordinating Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War, as a key body in protecting the rights and interests of Ukrainian prisoners of war, missing persons and their families, has organized more than 50 exchanges and other special events since February 24, 2022, as a result of which 3,767 military and civilians have returned to Ukraine, UNN reports, citing updated statistics.
The general results of the Coordination Center's work are presented in the Information Report at http://surl.li/xmzrix. Monthly updates of statistical data can be tracked here.
Established at the beginning of the full-scale invasion out of urgent necessity, the Coordination Headquarters takes care of the defenders of Ukraine who are in captivity of the aggressor state, civilians deprived of their personal freedom as a result of armed aggression, persons missing in connection with the armed conflict, military operations, temporary occupation of part of the territory of Ukraine, etc.
Vitaliy Serdyuk, Senior Partner at AVER LEX Attorneys at Law, which provides legal support on the basis of a Memorandum of Cooperation signed with the Coordination Headquarters, draws attention to the fact that a step-by-step procedure has been developed for the families of prisoners and missing persons with an algorithm of where to go, how to apply and what to do:
Thus, according to Vitaliy Serdyuk, if a family becomes aware of a military or civilian in captivity or is considered missing, they must do the following:
1. Submit a statement on missing persons, abduction or captivity to the relevant territorial body of the National Police of Ukraine.
2. Record the registration number of the application, as well as take an extract from the URPTI, which will contain the name of the investigator in the case.
3. Along with submitting a statement of the above fact, submit a biological sample for DNA profile. The samples are taken from the biological parents or children of the missing person.
4. Register in the Personal Account of the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War and file a report on the capture or disappearance of the Defender.
5. Contact the National Information Bureau, the Joint Center for the Search and Release of Prisoners of War at the SSU, the International Committee of the Red Cross Central Tracing Agency for the International Armed Conflict in Ukraine, and the UN Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances.
"Based on the Memorandum, AVER LEX team is always ready to provide free legal assistance in preparing the necessary documents and other accompanying consultations.
I emphasize that the Coordination Center was established on the basis of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine and is the only competent authority on the exchange of prisoners and the search for missing persons. It is important to trust the information provided exclusively by official representatives of the Coordination Headquarters and to address official inquiries to public reception offices and counseling centers," noted Vitaliy Serdyuk.
Contacts of the Coordination Headquarters for inquiries:
0 800 300 529 (free of charge) or at the address: 37 Spaska St., Kyiv (central public reception), or at the link https://roadmap.koordshtab.gov.ua/coordination-headquarters-contacts/