Unresolved problems

We have written more than once about the grandiose work that numerous big and small volunteer groups and individual volunteers are doing now. In the past few months, they have learned how to deliver everything – from foodstuffs and medicines to military gear – to the front line, help the families of killed servicemen and raise funds to treat the wounded, order necessary things abroad, etc. It is they who mostly keep the Ukrainian army on the float today. Yet the activity of these people has not yet been brought into line with the law, which creates a number of risks and problems for them.

TAXATION

The first problem volunteers come across when raising funds is exorbitant taxes. Charity has always been hampered in Ukraine. Incidentally, there was a special tax on charity before April 12: a 15-17 percent tax was levied on every payment that exceeded 1,710 hryvnias. According to Dmytro Reva, director of the nonprofit organization Sich Human Rights Group, the situation only partially improved after the tax had been revoked.

“An individual has been raising funds to buy accoutrements or food for soldiers, but then they have to pay a tax and thus spend the collected money. The same applies to charitable foundations. If a foundation gives somebody, say, 100,000 in assistance, it must pay 15,000 as a tax. Under a recently adopted law, this tax is not to be imposed on the aid intended for the military involved in the anti-terrorism operation. But this does not apply to the people who tackle the problems of involuntary migrants. It is in fact the same problem, but, for some reason, this provision holds good for them,” Reva says.

EXTORTIONISTS

The people who examine volunteers’ trucks at checkpoints sometimes turn into extortionists who not only refuse to assist in, but often overtly hinder the delivery of aid to their colleagues.

“It is the greatest risk for volunteers when former Berkut servicemen and common policemen man the roadblocks,” volunteer Valerii Harahuts says. “I’ve just come back from the Aidar battalion, so I know this very well. They stopped me at the roadblock and asked: ‘What are carrying?’ Then they examined the truck. They found army boots and wanted to take them, but the thing didn’t suit them, do they took a flashlight. I also often carry expensive things, such as infrared imagers, so in this case I have to ask somebody to guard them. I’ve had no serious problems so far, but I know that I was just lucky. The entire Ukraine is working for the war, but these people stand on the road and practice extortion, even though they are well provided for. It takes us 20 minutes to pass through these checkpoints because you are in for a long chat and examination of things. They keep asking: ‘What are you carrying? Who to? Why not to us? Maybe, you’ll leave us something?’ Whenever I approach a checkpoint manned by the military, the attitude is different: ‘Where are you going? Good luck, guys. Thank you for help. Hold out!’ The police are used to extorting, so these situations come up even in wartime.”

PERSONAL PRESSURE

Volunteers are now the most trustworthy source of information. The government may be assuring people as much as it can that the military have everything and are in good conditions, but the people who visit our soldiers and see what is really going on in the anti-terrorism operation area prefer not to keep silent. They often spread information through social websites and grant extensive interviews to the media. So, the authorities are trying hard to “shut them up,” Reva complains.

“Volunteers are the people who see ‘too much.’ They may come to a military unit and see that soldiers are poorly nourished, clothed and shod, although official reports are saying all is OK. So they begin to draw the attention of the public and the press to this problem. These people come under indirect pressure. The tax authorities begin to inspect their firms, the police and other services also show interest in them. This is a hidden problem. Of course, nobody will officially link harassment of a person to the fact that this person found some shortcomings in a [military] unit. There are not so many instances of this, but still it is already a negative tendency. This is not what we are fighting for,” Reva says.

ABSENCE OF A RELEVANT LAW

The government promises volunteers the status of anti-terrorism operation participants. But when people do not receive even the slightest support in their activities, they do not believe in the promised wonders. “The status of an ATO participant envisages privileged medical treatment and health care, land plots, and reduced utility rates,” Reva says. “But, taking into account that this country’s budget is like a sieve and unlikely to withstand such pressure in the nearest years, I am sure there will emerge all kinds of bureaucratic obstacles that will not let people obtain this status. Moreover, the future statuses will not protect volunteers now. People continue to visit the military operations zone, they may be taken prisoner or wounded, but they cannot even count on proper medical care. Large volunteer organizations have legal services of their own, which coordinate and streamline all their actions from the juridical angle. As for small volunteer groups, they should also rally together and defend their interests, for nobody else will care about them.”

MOTIVATION OF PEOPLE

Incidentally, as the governmental information policy also results in reduced help from the populace, volunteers are unable to embrace all the matters they have dealt with before, volunteer Yevhen Zharko says. “It is more and more difficult to raise funds now. People are not exactly enthusiastic. A ceasefire was declared, and everybody thinks the war is coming to an end. Fewer people are now helping the army. What has also played a role is the statement of some top military officials that the army has everything that it needs. People think everything is available. But I was personally in the ATO zone a few days ago. Naturally, the situation has improved, the state has given a lot, but, as before, soldiers still lack warm uniforms, and no one knows whether they will ever have any,” Zharko says.