European Commission calls for expanded NABU and SAP powers amid systemic pressure

Maintaining independence against systemic pressure

The European Commission department assessed Ukraine's institutional anti-corruption system as remaining effective. Specialised anti-corruption bodies continue to operate independently and effectively. However, the September draft of the annual progress report on Ukraine's path to EU membership expressed concern regarding "persistent attempts at systemic pressure on the independence and operations of NABU and SAP".

Such attempts include ongoing criminal investigations, surveillance of NABU staff by other law enforcement and security agencies, as well as media campaigns aimed at discrediting anti-corruption bodies and their leadership.

Issues with access to expertise and wiretapping

The document notes that NABU faces problems with timely access to impartial judicial expertise requiring urgent resolution. Furthermore, it is emphasised that the Bureau still requires independent practical capabilities for wiretapping communications.

The European Commission recommends reviewing and expanding NABU's jurisdiction to cover all state positions with a high level of corruption risk, including the leadership of the President's Office, heads of regional administrations, and others.

«Втручання інших правоохоронних органів у виключну підслідність НАБУ залишається проблемою, яка підриває повноваження НАБУ, і для її вирішення необхідно запровадити належні правові гарантії» (Interference by other law enforcement agencies in NABU's exclusive jurisdiction remains a problem that undermines NABU's powers, and adequate legal guarantees must be introduced to resolve it), the report draft states.

Recommendations regarding SAP and SBU

The head of the SAP is recommended to be granted the ability to independently initiate investigations and approve investigative actions concerning Members of Parliament, independent of the Prosecutor General.

Although the SBU is not directly mentioned in the context of pressure on NABU and SAP, its "de facto monopoly on wiretapping communications" is highlighted separately, which the European Commission calls for abolishing, while calling for the SBU itself to be reformed.

«Протягом звітного періоду не було зроблено жодних значних кроків у реформуванні Служби безпеки України (СБУ). Важливо зосередити повноваження СБУ на завданнях національної безпеки» (No significant steps were taken during the reporting period towards reforming the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU). It is important to focus SBU powers on national security tasks), the report draft states.

The European Commission calls for transferring the SBU's pre-trial investigation functions to specialised law enforcement agencies or "strictly limiting them to crimes related to its core powers". It is also necessary to strengthen internal and external oversight mechanisms for the SBU.

Strengthening the declaration system and NAK assessment

The European Commission points to concerns regarding the impartiality and effectiveness of the NAK "in certain areas of activity" and emphasises the need for the body to implement the recommendations of an independent assessment conducted back in 2023.

The asset declaration system needs to be strengthened to prevent and better detect unjustified enrichment. The circle of persons obliged to declare assets should be expanded to include advisers and assistants to senior politicians and top-level managers of all state enterprises.

«Необхідно також підвищувати кваліфікацію, професіоналізм, доброчесність і підзвітність антикорупційних посадовців» (It is also necessary to enhance the qualifications, professionalism, integrity, and accountability of anti-corruption officials), the report draft states.

Planning for official presentation

The document is officially planned to be presented on 28 October as part of the annual EU Enlargement Package, which contains assessments of the progress of candidate countries towards joining the European Union.