Effective work of anti-corruption agencies triggers resistance of corrupt system – Artem Sytnyk at OSCE meeting
Representatives of the corruption system continue to use their political weight and power to weaken Ukraine's anti-corruption bodies. This was stated by NABU Director Artem Sytnyk at the 2021 Economic and Environmental Dimension Implementation Meeting (2021 EEDIM), in Vienna, 18-19 October 2021.
"The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe systematically supports the implementation of reforms in Ukraine. One of the important directions is anti-corruption reform, as well as related reforms of law enforcement agencies, the judiciary, and criminal justice. At present, the results of Ukraine's anti-corruption agencies have become a trigger for the corrupt system. Its representatives use their political weight and power to weaken anti-corruption bodies, which, in turn, are becoming increasingly effective. Ukraine is going through a painful stage of transformation both at the general level and in the judicial and law enforcement spheres. And we are grateful to our international partners for their support on this path," Artem Sytnyk said.
The NABU Director spoke at the session on governance, transparency and accountability as key conditions for economic growth, trade, investment, and sustainable development that promote stability, security, and respect for human rights in the OSCE area.
"During 7 years of NABU's work, we have prosecuted about 1000 people: 6 ministers and their deputies, 11 heads of central executive bodies, 20 MPs, 67 judges, 78 heads of state enterprises. NABU exposed several criminal organizations and officials - their actions caused particularly severe damage to the state. We actively cooperate with the competent authorities in other countries, as crimes committed in Ukraine often go abroad," Artem Sytnyk added.
According to him, the referral of NABU's first cases to court proved to be a test for the corrupt system.
"Hearings in general courts were delayed and sabotaged. This situation showed the need to restart the judiciary, cleanse it. In 2019, the HACC, a specialized court for corruption cases, was launched and showed a different quality of work: 26 officials have been sentenced to imprisonment. This indicates a fair trial in Ukraine can be achieved," Artem Sytnyk stressed.
For reference
The Economic and Environmental Dimension Implementation Meeting (EEDIM) convenes once a year, usually in October in Vienna, to review the implementation of the Council of Ministers' decisions and provides a basis for enhanced dialogue and cooperation in key thematic areas, including on the fight against corruption.
