Lawmakers have officially approved the bill to strip state traitors of their awards.

Members of Parliament have approved in full the President Volodymyr Zelensky's bill aimed at stripping state awards from Ukraine's traitors. This was reported on Wednesday, November 20, by MP Yaroslav Zheleznyak.

The bill №11410 was supported in the second reading by 283 deputies. The document introduces changes to the procedure for revoking state awards from individuals who support actions by Russia, are accused of violating the criminal code, and engage in other illegal activities against Ukraine.

“The bill aims to enhance Ukraine's legislation concerning the revocation of state awards from individuals convicted of serious or particularly serious crimes or criminal offenses against the foundations of Ukraine's national security, against peace, human security, and international order, as well as individuals who promote or advocate for the aggressor state and its authorities, their representatives, or engage in other actions aimed at creating a positive image of the aggressor state, justifying and legitimizing the occupation of Ukrainian territory,” states the explanatory note to the bill.

It should be noted that current legislation only allows for the revocation of state awards from individuals convicted of serious crimes or who are under sanctions. Changes to the document will also allow for the revocation of awards based on decisions by the National Security and Defense Council regarding sanctions.

State traitors and criminals will be stripped of the title of Hero of Ukraine, the Order of Merit, and other state awards. It is worth mentioning that Volodymyr Zelensky initiated the bill in response to a petition regarding the revocation of the title "Hero of Ukraine" from MP and former co-chairman of the banned Opposition Platform — For Life, Yuriy Boyko. Boyko received the title in 2004 during the presidency of Leonid Kuchma for “outstanding personal merits to the Ukrainian state in developing the fuel and energy complex.”

On July 16, 2024, the bill was registered in the Verkhovna Rada, and on August 20, it was supported in the first reading.