Editor’s Note: The Kyiv Post will be tracking the progress made by Ukraine’s post-EuroMaidan Revolution leaders in making deep structural changes in the public interest. The Reform Watch project is supported by the International Renaissance Foundation. Content is independent of the financial donor.
1. Security & Defense
Parliament recognized the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court over war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by Russian and separatists forces on Feb. 4. The legislation did not extend to allegations of war crimes by Ukraininan forces. Lawmakers also reduced the number of police agencies by combining several departments.
Women aged from 20 to 50 can be called up for military service, according to Vladyslav Selezniov, a spokesperson for the general staff of Ukraine’s army forces. Those who volunteer to serve and have military backgrounds will get drafted first.They will serve in medical, logistics and communications units. In 2014, some 100 women were drafted
2. Energy
State-owned energy giant Naftogaz Ukraine and its subsidiaries will face an audit by Deloitte. this year. The Energy Ministry advanced plans to reorganize the money-losing giant by splitting it into production, transportation and storage divisions, as required by the European Union and International Monetary Fund. It will be considered in parliament next week.
3. Rule of law
Parliament asked the Constitutional Court to rule on ending judges’ and lawmakers’ immunity from prosecution. If approved, lawmakers will vote on a bill. Speaker Volodymyr Groysman said that the aim is to remove immunity in September. Lawmakers also approved the arrest of judges Rodion Kireyev, who in 2011 unlawfully sentenced former Prime Minister Yuliya Tymoshenko to seven years in prison, Andriy Rudiak , who is suspected of murder and Mykola Bolotin , who is accused of accepting a $5,000 bribe. A draft law passed adds deposed President Viktor Yanukovych to the list of officials who can be investigated by the Anti-Corruption Bureau and bans former law enforcement officers from applying for work in the bureau. Salaries for the bureau were also set: $3,700 for the chief and $1,400-$1,600 for detectives. Those detectives will have powers to arrest and seize property.
4. Public Administration
Parliament approved two bills aimed at decentralization. One enables local communities to establish unions and advise to local governments.The other one gives the right to local councils and state administrations to establish agencies of regional development and boost cooperation with the European Union.
5. Land/Agriculture
President Petro Poroshenko signed into law a measure to stimulate agriculture. It removes restrictions on the production capacity of cattle-breeding farms and complexes; owners can have their expenses for construction and renovation partially reimbursed.
