Ukrainian politicians lobby corruption: On March 27, 2025, the Ukrainian Parliament is scheduled to deliberate on Bill No. 11533, introduced by Member of Parliament Ihor Fris from the “Servant of the People” party. This proposed legislation seeks to restrict access to detailed information about real estate properties during martial law and for one year after its conclusion. The bill aims to limit public access to specific data such as exact locations and cadastral numbers of properties, which are crucial for journalists and anti-corruption activists in uncovering illicit activities.
Implications of the Proposed Restrictions
The Center for Anti-Corruption (AntAC) has raised concerns that the enactment of this bill would significantly hinder the ability of journalists to investigate and expose corruption related to real estate. By obscuring precise property details, it becomes challenging to verify the authenticity of asset declarations filed by public officials. For instance, without access to exact locations, assessing whether an official has accurately reported the value of a property becomes problematic, especially considering the substantial price variations across different districts.
Potential Consequences for the General Public
The ramifications of this bill extend beyond investigative journalism. Ordinary citizens seeking to purchase property would face difficulties in verifying the legitimacy of ownership claims. The absence of accessible property data could lead to an increase in fraudulent transactions, as potential buyers would lack the means to confirm whether a seller is the rightful owner. This scenario not only jeopardizes individual investments but also undermines trust in the real estate market.
Recommendations and Call to Action
In light of these concerns, AntAC urges Members of Parliament to remove Bill No. 11533 from the agenda. Additionally, they recommend that the National Agency on Corruption Prevention conduct a thorough anti-corruption examination of the proposed legislation to assess its potential impact on transparency and accountability.
Ukrainian politicians lobby corruption
The proposed restrictions on access to real estate information, as outlined in Bill No. 11533, present significant challenges to both the media’s role in exposing corruption and the public’s ability to engage in secure property transactions. Ensuring transparency in property records is vital for maintaining public trust and preventing fraudulent activities within the real estate sector.
SOURCES:
- https://bihus.info/kozhen-10-j-deputat-9-sklykannya-figurant-kryminalnyh-sprav/