The Rada supported strengthening control over the State Bureau of Investigation and the Prosecutor’s Office: what will change?

The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine supported in the first reading the bill No. 14130, which provides for strengthening parliamentary control over the activities of law enforcement agencies and the prosecutor’s office. 240 people’s deputies voted for the document.

One of the key innovations should be the annual public reporting of the Prosecutor General’s Office and the State Bureau of Investigation on the investigation of cases of torture and other ill-treatment of people, as well as the protection of victims from such actions.

As noted in the material, the adoption of the relevant amendments is provided for by the Roadmap on the rule of law within the framework of the negotiation process on Ukraine’s accession to the European Union. In particular, it concerns the implementation of provisions in the field of prevention of torture, inhuman or degrading treatment, and the functioning of the penitentiary system.

What the bill proposes

The amendments are planned to be made to several laws at once.

The Law “On the State Bureau of Investigation” is proposed to be supplemented with a norm according to which the written report on the work of the State Bureau of Investigation for the previous year must contain information on the investigation of cases of torture, other ill-treatment and measures to protect victims.

Similar information is proposed to be included separately in the annual report on the activities of the prosecutor’s office, which the Prosecutor General submits to the Verkhovna Rada.

In addition, changes are provided for in the Rules of Procedure of the Verkhovna Rada. The rules for the consideration by the parliament of reports and reports of state bodies and officials are planned to be extended to the director of the Bureau of Economic Security of Ukraine.

It is also proposed to expand the control powers of parliamentary committees. The profile committee of the Verkhovna Rada will be able to hear the leadership of the National Police on topical issues and resonant events at closed meetings.

Currently, draft law No. 14130 has been supported by the parliament only as a basis, so for final adoption it must undergo further consideration.