“Hands off NABU”: protests against the liquidation of anti-corruption bodies are taking place in many cities of Ukraine
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Mass protests are taking place in Kyiv, Lviv, Dnipro, Odessa, Lutsk, and Ivano-Frankivsk against draft law No. 12414, which activists say threatens the independence of the anti-corruption institutions NABU and SAPO. Protesters are demanding that the president immediately veto the document, which could significantly change the balance of Ukraine’s anti-corruption system.
It is noted that mass protests broke out simultaneously in several cities of Ukraine against the draft law No. 12414 adopted by the Verkhovna Rada, which provides for a change in the powers of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAP). The protests are taking place under the slogans “Hands off NABU”, “Veto the law” and “Destroy NABU – destroy trust”.
In Kyiv, several hundred protesters gathered in the square near the Ivan Franko National Drama Theater. This location was chosen because of its proximity to the Office of the President. Among the participants are war veterans, public activists, students and concerned Kyiv residents. They hold posters with the inscriptions “Legalization = corruption”, “Corruptors celebrate – we protest”, “Shame” and “Back to 2013?”.
In Lviv, a rally is taking place near the Shevchenko monument. According to local media, over a thousand people came out to protest. The student youth were especially active, believing that this law opens the way to political control over independent anti-corruption bodies.
The protests also spread to Odessa, where protesters demanded not to sign the bill and to protect democratic institutions.
In Dnipro, a rally was held under the “Ukraine” hotel, despite the bad weather – people stood under raincoats and umbrellas, holding slogans “12414 – veto!”, “Independence of NABU and SAPO” and “Let’s protect the truth.”
In Lutsk, the action took place on the Theater Square. Although the number of participants was smaller, they voiced the same demands: to stop the dismantling of the independence of the NABU and the SAPO. Those present held posters with the inscriptions “VETO”, “Destroy NABU – destroy trust” and “Hands off the SAPO”.
In Ivano-Frankivsk, the action took place outside the walls of the regional administration. Activists called on the public to take further action, emphasizing the importance of preserving the results of the anti-corruption reform.
Also in Poltava , at around 8:00 PM, a peaceful protest against the adoption of draft law No. 12414 is taking place near the Gogol Theater in Poltava. Participants are opposing the changes, which, they say, undermine the independence of the NABU and SAPO — the country’s key anti-corruption bodies.
Bill No. 12414, which caused such a wave of indignation, has now disappeared from the Verkhovna Rada website. The message states that the page has been deleted or has become temporarily unavailable, which only strengthens suspicions of its opaque promotion.
The public is waiting for the president’s reaction, hoping that he will use his veto. Protesters point out that the fight for independent anti-corruption bodies is a fight for the future of the country.
On Tuesday, July 22, the Verkhovna Rada voted for a bill that significantly limits the powers of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAP), effectively subordinating their activities to the Prosecutor General. Subsequently, the heads of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office appealed to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy not to sign the bill , which, in their opinion, destroys the independence of these bodies.
As a reminder, the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office have published an official statement regarding draft law No. 12414, which is being prepared for the second reading in the Verkhovna Rada. The anti-corruption bodies warn that the latest amendments to the document pose a serious threat to the independence of their activities.
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