Ukrainian Association of Communities Calls for Objectivity Amid Rising Pressure on Local Authorities
Over recent months, there has been a noticeable increase in pressure from law enforcement agencies across Ukraine targeting representatives of local self-government bodies.
The All-Ukrainian Association of Communities (AUAC) has expressed its serious concern over this unexpected and widespread escalation in suspicion and criminal investigations, which are often unfounded and formal.
According to the AUAC Executive Director Ivan Slobodyanik, this situation is driven partly by legal uncertainties stemming from the lack of clear guidelines regarding the upcoming local elections in 2025, and partly by the desire of certain law enforcement bodies to improve their performance metrics at the expense of local officials.
The phenomenon resembles a wave of mass searches, baseless suspicion accusations, and attempts to discredit community leaders, which in some cases may also be motivated by political reasons.The AUAC’s appeal to state leadership emphasizes the importance of objectivity and impartiality in law enforcement activities.
The document underscores that all actions should be based solely on legal grounds and be aimed at identifying genuine offenses, not used as tools for political pressure or other extraneous motives.
The association highlights that discrediting community heads harms the system of local self-governance and runs counter to national interests, especially amid ongoing military conflicts.They urge authorities to promptly analyze the causes of the spike in suspicions and to halt the practice of unjustified criminal persecution of municipal representatives.
The organization also stresses the importance of adopting laws that provide amnesty for decisions supporting the Ukrainian Armed Forces, to protect community leaders from new mass criminal proceedings under charges such as “illegal funding of the Armed Forces.”The AUAC advocates for ensuring transparency and fairness in law enforcement practices, emphasizing that violations of this principle undermine public trust and weaken regional resilience.
They call on the Verkhovna Rada to clarify the schedule of upcoming local elections and to make decisions regarding the further powers of local self-government bodies.A significant concern relates to draft law №13150, which threatens the independence and autonomy of local self-government across Ukraine.
The AUAC is preparing a formal appeal to the president and the Prosecutor General to address the challenges posed by unwarranted pressure and criminal investigations on local officials, especially in Poltava and other regions.Mass cases of criminal proceedings initiated against officials over minor or formally justified reasons—such as public complaints or local decisions—have raised alarm within the organization, prompting broader appeals to state institutions.
They demand an objective investigation and the cessation of unlawful actions that damage public confidence in local authorities and contribute to political tensions.