Enhancing Autonomy of Anti-Corruption Bodies in Ukraine
Ukraine Reverses Controversial Anti-Corruption Law
Last week, a significant shift occurred in Ukraine as the Ukrainian Parliament passed a new law aimed at regulating the country's anti-corruption agencies. This decision followed a controversial law that had been passed earlier, which subordinated the two anti-corruption agencies to the Prosecutor General, causing widespread protests and criticism both domestically and internationally.
The previous law, which restricted the independence of the anti-corruption agencies, had faced criticism for its potential to interfere politically and undermine the fight against corruption. President Volodymyr Zelensky admitted that the initial law was a mistake, acknowledging the sensitivity of the issue given Ukraine's history and the importance of anti-corruption efforts.
The new law, a response to the criticism and discontent caused by the previous law, is intended to address issues related to the independence of the anti-corruption agencies. The core of the new law is to reverse the previous restriction of their independence. The law redefines the control over the two anti-corruption agencies, ensuring their independence and autonomy in their operations.
The passage of the new law was a decisive move by the Ukrainian Parliament, adopted with a large majority. This decision is a significant step in the ongoing efforts to combat corruption in Ukraine, despite the recent setback. The EU welcomed this corrective step as positive for Ukraine’s democratic governance and potential EU accession.
The episode revealed political sensitivities around anti-corruption governance and the challenge of balancing national security concerns with democratic norms. The backtrack supported maintaining Ukraine’s democratic reform trajectory. Reinforcing the independence of anti-corruption bodies helps preserve transparency and accountability, reassuring both the Ukrainian public and international partners about Ukraine’s commitment to genuine anti-corruption reforms, which is crucial for EU accession talks and Western aid.
In conclusion, the reversal of the controversial anti-corruption law is a positive development for Ukraine, demonstrating the government's commitment to democratic reform and the fight against corruption. This decision reaffirms Ukraine's dedication to maintaining its democratic reform trajectory and upholding the principles of transparency and accountability in its anti-corruption efforts.
[1] Zelensky Reverses Course on Anti-Corruption Law Amid Protests and International Pressure [2] Ukraine Parliament Approves New Anti-Corruption Law, Reversing Previous Decision [3] Zelensky Acknowledges Mistake in Passing Initial Anti-Corruption Law, Submits New Legislation
- The new anti-corruption law, passed by the Ukrainian Parliament, serves as a policy-and-legislation correction to the controversial law that subordinated the country's anti-corruption agencies to the Prosecutor General.
- This general-news event, marked by the reversal of the controversial anti-corruption law, underscores Ukraine's politics of addressing the sensitivity of anti-corruption governance, aiming to preserve transparency and accountability.
