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HOT ANTICORRUPTION NEWS / Issue #177
May 19, 2021
  
Today's issue:
 
- Latest version of the SBU draft law still fails to deliver the reform;
- Parliament adopts the High Council of Justice reform in the first reading;
- State Bureau of Investigation persecutes corruption whistleblower; 
- Invitation to Democracy in Action: Zero Corruption Conference; 
- recommended reading
Latest version of the SBU draft law still fails to deliver the reform

On May 17, the working group on the SBU reform presented the pre-final text of the draft law. Unfortunately, it fails to deliver true reform of the Service and secures redundant and excessive functions of the SBU. MPs ignored numerous expert recommendations on improving the law, including the recommendations given by the International Advisory Group.
Parliament adopts the High Council of Justice reform in the first reading
On May 19, the Parliament adopted draft law No.5068 on the High Council of Justice reform in the first reading. So far, the MPs have not yet implemented into the draft law the recent recommendations of the Venice Commission. They have to give independent experts a decisive role in the process of selection and vetting of the HCJ members.
State Bureau of Investigation persecutes corruption whistleblower
In April, the State Bureau of Investigation conducted search and seizure in the cabinet of Khakiv judge Olena Zaichko. In September 2020, she reported to the NABU bribery conducted by the head of Kharkiv District Administrative Court Olha Panchenko. The SBI accuses Zaichko of false crime reporting against Panchenko, although the charges against the latter have been upheld by the NABU.  Zaichko does not have a perfect reputation herself, the SBI and other judges launched a persecution against her only when she became a whistleblower in the case of the head of the court.
Invitation to Democracy in Action: Zero Corruption Conference
We are happy to invite you to the Democracy in Action: Zero Corruption Conference, which will be held in a hybrid format in Kyiv on June 7-8. The international forum is dedicated to seeking solutions to hybrid threats to democracy - disinformation, strategic corruption, and lawfare. Please find more info&registration at zerocc.org. 
Recommended Reading 
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Should you have any questions or comments please contact Tetiana Shevchuk at tshevchuk@antac.org.ua

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