The primary purpose of martial law is to ensure law and order and the security of citizens during periods of significant threat or conflict, often by temporarily restricting certain rights and freedoms.

Key Insights

• Ensuring Law and Order:
  • Martial law is implemented to maintain law and order during periods of significant threat, such as military conflicts or large-scale civil unrest
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• Security of Citizens:
  • It aims to secure the safety of citizens by granting military authorities temporary control over certain civil functions and suspending some civil liberties
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• Regulation of Labour Relations:
  • In Ukraine, martial law has led to specific changes in labour relations, including the suspension of labour agreements and adjustments to workplace regulations to adapt to the wartime context
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• Access to Justice:
  • Although martial law can limit access to justice, international humanitarian law and European standards require the protection of human rights and access to judicial procedures even during such periods
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Conclusion

Martial law serves the critical function of maintaining law and order and ensuring the security of citizens during times of significant threat, though it often involves the temporary suspension of certain civil liberties and adjustments in various civil functions, including labour relations and access to justice.