Ende März 2017 stimmte die Werchowna Rada Änderungen des Antikorruptionsgesetzes zu. Ab 2018 müssen nun nicht mehr nur Beamte Vermögenserklärungen abgeben, sondern auch Vertreter von Nichtregierungsorganisationen. Die neue Regelung löste sofort Kritik aus. Es wird befürchtet, dass durch sie die Antikorruptionsorganisationen in der Ukraine unter Druck geraten könnten und ihre Zusammenarbeit mit internationalen Partnern wesentlich erschwert wird.
Wir dokumentieren hier die Stellungnahmen von Freedom House, Transparency International und die Position des Präsidenten Petro Poroschenko. Im Anschluss daran finden Sie die Ergebnisse des Abstimmungsverfahrens im Parlament, die verdeutlichen, welche Kräfte sich für und welche gegen die umstrittene Gesetzesänderung gestellt haben.
Die Redaktion der Ukraine-Analysen
Freedom House
Ukraine: New Restrictions on Anti-Corruption Groups (27.03.2017)
Following President Poroshenko signing a measure that will increase government monitoring into civil society groups, Freedom House issued the following statement:
"Ukraine’s passage of intrusive reporting requirements targeting anti-corruption activists and NGOs undermines their work, which is essential for restoring public trust in the government," said Marc Behrendt, director of Eurasia programs at Freedom House. "The new requirements protect politicians unhappy with public scrutiny and allow them to retaliate against those involved in anti-corruption investigations. Moreover, the law appears to violate standards established by the Council of Europe, which prohibit arbitrary and discriminatory intrusion into independent civil society activity.”
Transparency International
Proposed amendments to a law that targets Ukrainian anti-corruption groups must be abolished (27.03.2017)
Transparency International and its chapter in Ukraine call on Ukrainian authorities to abolish controversial amendments to the Law on Prevention of Corruption that appear designed to intimidate and target anti-corruption activists.
The amendments would make it mandatory for leaders of anti-corruption groups to submit e-declarations of their assets, similar to those that are now mandatory for civil servants, judges, senior government employees and members of parliament.
The e-declaration law was introduced to inhibit corruption and allow for public scrutiny of the wealth of those in power to ensure people did not abuse their official positions to increase their assets beyond their salaries. It has no relevance to anti-corruption activists who are not paid by the state.
José Ugaz, Chair of Transparency International, said:
"These new provisions must be abolished immediately. Lawmakers are trying to intimidate civil society and in particular anti-corruption activists. If these amendments come into force, it will be clear that Ukrainian top officials are not serious about fighting corruption. It will show that they have chosen to side with those who want to quash the anti-corruption movement.
"These amendments are a vindictive retaliation by lawmakers who are angry that they are required to declare their wealth. There is no justification for singling out anti-corruption groups.”
Yaroslav Yurchyshyn, the Executive Director of Transparency International Ukraine, said:
"Non-governmental organisations are overseen by the public and their donors. The relevant authorities review tax and financial reports. Our annual reports are available online. These new amendments which extend to organisations that work with us, if introduced, will complicate not only anti-corruption activity but the life of individuals indirectly assisting and supporting our work.”
Präsident Petro Poroschenko
President met with public activists on amendments to the law on e-declaration (27.03.2017)
President Petro Poroshenko had a meeting with public activists on amendments to the law on e-declaration.
The Head of State underlined the importance of signing this law due to the necessity of taking into account the interests of hundreds of thousands of servicemen who currently defend Ukraine from the Russian aggression.
Given the obligation for NGO representatives to fill in the e-declarations comes into force from the year 2018, pursuant to the proposal of the President, the parties agreed to establish a working group with participation of NGO representatives, people’s deputies and representatives of the Presidential Administration with a view to elaborate the agreed amendments to this law.
The Head of State expressed support for the initiatives of NGOs in the sphere of fighting corruption. He drew attention to the inadmissibility of any political pressure or restrictions for the activity of NGOs in Ukraine.