Legislative decision to abolish independence of NABU and SAP: EU calls it a step backward in European integration
The recent law passed by the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, which effectively eliminates the independence of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAP), has drawn sharp criticism from the European Union.
EU Enlargement Commissioner Marja Kos expressed her deep concern over this decision, emphasizing that such measures significantly undermine Ukraine’s anti-corruption efforts and cast doubt on the country’s prospects for further integration into the European community.
She highlighted that independence of these institutions is one of the key guarantees of the rule of law, and its dismantling threatens to damage trust in Ukraine’s legal system among international partners.
The EU underscores that independent anti-corruption bodies play a crucial role in advancing reforms and upholding European values, making their weakening or abolition an unacceptable step at this stage.
Experts and Ukrainian civil society are now calling for a reconsideration of the law and a return to standards that ensure the independence of anti-corruption agencies.
Failure to do so risks losing EU support and increasing Ukraine’s isolation in the international arena.