The Ukrainian parliament on July 22 approved amendments that effectively destroy the independence of Ukraine’s two key anti-corruption institutions, according to opposition lawmakers and watchdogs.
The legislation grants the prosecutor general new powers over investigations led by the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and cases led by the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO).
The step comes as Ukrainian authorities ramp up pressure against the two agencies established as part of the anti-graft reforms after the EuroMaidan Revolution.
European countries have to stop this. Corruption will certainly hamper Ukraine’s ability to defend itself, and likely end up with corrupt officials pocketing Europeans aid money.
from what I’ve read, the issue with corruption is EXACTLY the reason why this law was set in place.
masses of cases against all kinds of politicians, police and the latter, cases that remain open and unresolved for years - that’s not really efficient. Plus it seemed the “independent” agency was heavily influenced by russian agents themselves.
However another change/alteration is already being proposed. To me, it looks like an attempt to get rid of these inside jobs and russian influence. A clumsy attempt, but as long as people are able and allowed to protest, are being heard and talked to, we’re on a good path for a free democracy. Anything even remotely similar to that would be unthinkable in russia or even hungary…
I can’t see your optimism as anything but wholly unfounded. An anti-corruption agency that’s not independent cannot do its job, full stop.
And how do you think free democracies devolve into authoritarianism if not for corruption?
let’s not forget Ukraine is in the middle of a war for its own existence.
We all know russian warfare is not just straight-forward and weapon-based, but uses several vectors. Influencing agencies to dissolve a state that’s already “on the edge” from the inside is a very easy way to weaken such a state even further. And from what I’ve read this “russian influence” on the anti-corruption agency was nothing far-fetched, but a real issue.
But let me flip the question to you: How would YOU solve the issue of an “independent” anti-corruption agency, that’s being heavily influenced by russian agents to disable important governmental structures? Give me/us some solutions to that very real and difficult matter.
Yes, which is exactly why corruption cannot be tolerated. Democratic accountability and efficiency are not mutually exclusive; if anything they’re two sides of the same coin. The fact that Ukraine can count on its weapon stockpiles and army divisions to be there when they need them is a direct result of accountability and anti-corruption measures, and we’ve all seen in Russia what happens when you don’t have those things.
Do you have evidence for this massive Russian conspiracy that’s making the agencies in question a bane rather than a boon for Ukraine?
More internal oversight through the agencies themselves and external oversight through the legislature. Such power simply cannot be handed over to the executive. Russia will be very happy with this bill. Being a functional democracy with everything that entails is the one advantage Ukraine has other than Western aid; take that away and Ukraine will collapse in three seconds like Afghanistan did.
so - your solution to solve corruption and russian influence is to give more control to these already corrupt bodies?
I highly doubt that would work. But I do agree on what WOULD work: Ask the EU or at least SOME members of the EU to offer support in working against corruption.
Personally, I’d prefer some of these people from scandinavia to look into that matter. They’re known to be the most transparent and advanced one’s in that regard.