Former head of the SBU, an UDAR party MP Valentyn Nalyvaichenko told KW why Ukraine needs anti-corruption lustration.
In an interview, former security chief lambasted recent cabinet and law enforcement appointments in the country, saying that such post should be occupied by persons with more competence and less dubious ties abroad.
“Ministers are like black cats in a dark room. They are not responsible for anything and are well aware that their predecessors were not responsible for anything as well,” the politician said. “Every outgoing Cabinet must report to the parliament. Every minister and every manager of budget funds is obligated to do so. Such a practice should be ensured by law in Ukraine.”
After giving a very critical assessment of the performance of his successors SBU chiefs, Nalyvaichenko stated that “the absence of civil control and non-transparency are among the major drawbacks in the operation of the law enforcement bodies.”
The lawmaker says his party UDAR will further pursue the adoption of a bill on lustration: “Requirements to top government officials must be reinforced by legislation and include the absence of offshore accounts, non-involvement in corruption, non-involvement in violation of human rights and freedoms. As for lustration of former KGB agents, Ukraine unfortunately missed the historical moment that Romania, Lithuania, Poland and other countries exploited back in 1991-1992.”
