According to summer polls, the ability to carry changes out and the ability to put things in order in the country are the main filters for Ukrainians in the parliamentary elections. At the same time, one in five is interested in the party’s ability to fight corruption. In fact, Ukrainians see the fight against corruption as an integral part of the whole process of systematic and inevitable change.
On August 29, the Verkhovna Rada will hold its first meeting. What should the new parliament do in the first year to meet the public’s demand for reform and justice?
First of all, it is about adopting amendments to the Law on Anti-Corruption Court, which will let to sort out old cases for HAC. Optimally, these changes should come into force by September 5, when the Anti-Corruption Court will begin to take over NABU and SAP cases.
Also among the priorities is restarting the National Agency for Prevention of Corruption. Transparency International Ukraine emphasizes, in particular, the new competition and change of NAPC members, the removal of the Collegiality Agency and external audit. As far as we know, a similar draft is ready.
In addition, we insist on systemic changes in the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office. Despite a marked improvement in NABU-SAP cooperation, the organization is aware of the “aquarium scandal” and its implications for the anti-corruption prosecutor’s reputation. A separate issue is the independence of SAP prosecutors as an anti-corruption body. Therefore, it is necessary to approve a bill that will promote the re-election of the SAP leadership under the new procedure, strengthen the procedural status of the head and deputy of the SAP, and transform the SAP into a separate legal entity under the rights of the regional prosecutor’s office.
Together with partners from the third sector, TI Ukraine supports a genuine renewal of the judicial branch. We understand that it will only be possible after the High Judicial Commission and the High Council of Justice are restarted. Qualified attorneys and members of the public should be involved in the HQCJ and the HCJ. The integrity and professional ethics review should be entrusted to international experts who have already proven effective in selecting judges to the Anti-Corruption Court.
Equally important for reducing corruption is continuing public procurement reform. A draft will soon be introduced to the Rada that will change some approaches to public procurement. For example, after a transition period, government officials will appear in government institutions who will take over the functions of the tender committee and be responsible for procurement decisions.
We will tell about the other 5 priorities and the mechanics of the tasks of the new parliament during the press-breakfast on August 28, the day before the start of the Verkhovna Rada of the IX convocation.
Transparency International Ukraine is an accredited representative of the global Transparency International movement, integrated in the development and implementation of change to reduce corruption.
TI Ukraine has administered and transmitted to the country ProZorro, ProZorro.Sales, eHealth and E-Data systems. Also, our Innovation and Expertise Center has implemented the Urban Transparency Rating and is building the DOZORRO community to monitor public procurement.
One in five Ukrainians is interested in the party’s ability to fight corruption. In fact, Ukrainians see the fight against corruption as an integral part of the whole process of systematic and inevitable change.
First of all, it is about adopting amendments to the Law on Anti-Corruption Court, which will let to sort out old cases for HAC. Optimally, these changes should come into force by September 5, when the Anti-Corruption Court will begin to take over NABU and SAP cases.
