Ukrainian lawmakers in Kyiv voted on Tuesday to reinstate the requirement for officials to declare their assets, a condition set by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). However, critics argue that a loophole in the measure weakens its effectiveness. The mandatory asset disclosures were initially implemented in 2016 but were later made optional and hidden from public view due to concerns over security risks after Russia’s invasion.
The IMF had specifically identified the reinstatement of asset declarations as one of the benchmarks for the release of a $15.6 billion assistance package. This move is in line with Ukraine’s goal of combating corruption, which is also a requirement for its accession to the European Union. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s administration has prioritized anti-corruption efforts alongside the ongoing war.
“Parliament has approved a version of the measure that obliges officials to declare their assets,” stated lawmaker Yaroslav Zheleznyak. However, the disclosed information will remain sealed and inaccessible to the public for another year. Anti-corruption activists argue that this decision undermines the primary purpose of the declarations, which was to promote transparency following the 2014 Maidan revolution.
In response to the proposed secrecy of the registry, the Anti-Corruption Action Centre, a prominent Ukrainian NGO, released a statement expressing concerns over the hidden wealth of deputies and officials. They believe that this lack of transparency erodes public trust, emphasizing that honest officials should have nothing to hide. “The desire to hide one’s property from the public only indicates a desire to steal public money,” the statement read.
The leader of Zelenskiy’s political party described the bill as “an incredible disappointment.” The legislation now awaits the president’s approval, and advocates for the reforms are urging him to veto it. Prior to early 2022, public servants, including municipal deputies and the president, were required to submit detailed annual asset declarations.
The National Agency for Corruption Prevention, a state watchdog, examines the submitted declarations and can take legal action if it suspects the presence of illicitly obtained wealth. Throughout the years, Ukrainian investigative journalists have regularly reported alleged instances of lawmakers and officials owning opulent homes and driving luxurious cars, even during wartime.
A poll conducted in June by Transparency International revealed that 77% of Ukrainians consider corruption as one of the most serious problems faced by the country. This highlights the urgency of addressing the issue transparently and effectively.
(Reporting by Dan Peleschuk, Editing by Timothy Heritage and Alison Williams)
Credit: The Star : News Feed
