The International Monetary Fund (IMF) in a letter published by Ukrainian media on Monday criticised a draft law paving the way for a new anti-corruption court, demanded by Kiev’s Western allies.
The letter dated January 11th, signed by IMF mission chief for Ukraine Ron van Rooden and addressed to the head of the Presidential Administration of Ukraine, says the Fund “has serious concerns” about the bill.
“Several provisions are not consistent with the authorities’ commitments under Ukraine’s IMF-supported program and the recommendations of the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe,” Rooden said in the letter published by Yevropeiska Pravda newspaper.
The Venice Commission is a group of constitutional law experts whose rulings member states commit to respect.
The Ukraine newspaper did not say how it acquired the letter.
Earlier the IMF said the establishment of the new judiciary body, named the High Anti-Corruption Court (HACC), would be a “benchmark” of Ukraine’s progress toward Western standards.
The IMF named nine areas of concern.
It said an international expert body should have the final say on selection of judges — rather than an advisory role as in the draft law — to ensure candidates have “an impeccable reputation and integrity.”
Both international organisations and donors should be able to recommend such international experts, in line with the Venice Commission recommendations, the document says.
The IMF insists that the HACC should work in coordination with the newly founded National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO) and focus “solely on corruption-related cases”.
“In its current form, however, we would not be able to support the draft law of the HACC,” Rooden concluded in the letter.
The IMF has made no official comment on the matter.
The recent creation of the anti-corruption office NABU and its partner agency SAPO have prompted strong resistance from other state structures, including the courts.
Ukraine was ranked 131st out of 176 countries in Transparency International’s corruption perception index in 2016.
Source:AFP
GMT 14:02 2018 Sunday ,02 December
RDIF says $2 billion will be invested in Russian economy from joint Russian-Saudi fundGMT 12:03 2018 Friday ,30 November
Canada on track to sign new free trade deal with US and MexicoGMT 07:56 2018 Wednesday ,21 November
Merkel policies in focus in final debate on draft German budgetGMT 14:11 2018 Thursday ,08 November
Greek minister, Russian ambassador discuss possible investment projectsGMT 13:42 2018 Wednesday ,07 November
PM says Russian-Chinese trade turnover may reach $200 blnGMT 11:15 2018 Wednesday ,07 November
Top U.S. diplomat visits Pakistan to discuss economic cooperationGMT 13:53 2018 Thursday ,01 November
Alrosa to sell 127 large gem-quality rough diamonds at an auction in IsraelGMT 10:59 2018 Tuesday ,30 October
Trade turnover between Russia and Japan grows by over 17% in 2018Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©
Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©
Send your comments
Your comment as a visitor