Ukraine advances prosecution reform bill after first reading

Ukraine’s parliament passed government draft 16144 on prosecution governance at first reading on November 11.

The proposal sets out ways to assess prosecutors and select them for administrative posts, according to parliament’s press service. It also proposes changes to prosecutorial self-governance and disciplinary procedures. The legislature’s bill card recorded the measure as being prepared for a second reading.

Who controls appointments and integrity checks is central to the debate. The Kyiv Independent reported on November 11 that an Ethics Standards Council would assess the integrity of candidates for two bodies: the Council of Prosecutors and the Qualification and Disciplinary Commission. The outlet said prosecutors would hold a majority on that ethics body and dominate selection panels formed by the Council of Prosecutors. Its description of those bodies closely matches arrangements lawmaker Ariev discussed in earlier remarks.

Speaking about draft 16144 on October 26, Ariev said bodies within the prosecution system would delegate five of the seven ethics council members. He questioned whether the arrangements would provide independent personnel and disciplinary procedures. He also said six of seven district selection commission members would be prosecutors holding administrative posts.