Zelenskyy to Restore Independence of Anti-Corruption Bodies In Response to Protests

Author: Vera Rousseff

July 29, 2025

HRRC commends Ukrainian President Zelenskyy and his administration for moving to restore the independence of Ukraine’s anti-corruption bodies following civilian protests. It is critical that countries have independent and fair investigations into corruption without having government interference or oversight.

A woman participating in the protests in Ukraine on Tuesday, July 22nd, holds a sign that reads, “Corruption Applauds.” [Image credit: AP Photo/Alex Babenko]

On Thursday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy submitted a bill that would restore the independence of Ukraine’s two anti-corruption bodies.

The bill is a reversal of a previous decision to give Ukraine’s prosecutor general, who is appointed by the president, new authority over the country’s two anti-corruption agencies—the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO). Zelenskyy justified the law by arguing that it would prevent Russian interference, speed up investigations, and ensure more convictions.

The law drew intense criticism from Ukrainian civil society organizations, politicians, the Ukrainian public, and Western partners. Critics pointed out that granting a presidential appointee power over NABU and SAPO severely undermines the agencies’ independence and their ability to hold the government accountable. On July 22nd and 23rd, thousands of Ukrainians took to the streets in several major cities to protest the decision—the first widespread anti-government protest in the country since Russia’s full-scale invasion more than three years ago. Many of the protesters were students and young adults.

Ukrainians are no strangers to anti-corruption efforts. In 2014, intense protests overthrew then-President Viktor Yanukovych, a pro-Moscow leader accused of extravagant corruption. The movement came to be known as the Maidan Revolution, also referred to as the Euromaidan Revolution or the Revolution of Dignity, and resulted in the establishment of NABU and SAPO. 

Many regard Ukraine’s anti-corruption reforms since 2014 as critical for its bid to join the European Union, with NABU and SAPO both playing an important role. Among those who criticized the initial law was European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos, who wrote on X that, “The dismantling of key safeguards protecting NABU’s independence is a serious step back. Independent bodies like NABU & SAPO are essential for Ukraine’s EU path.”

Some view Zelenskyy’s quick reversal as a commendable response to the public’s demands; others see it as a sign that the government lacks resolve or direction. In any case, the Ukrainian people, particularly the younger generation, have demonstrated an impressive commitment to civic engagement and democracy, even as their country struggles through its fourth year of war.

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Glossary

• Accountable: responsible for actions or decisions and expected to justify them to the public or an oversight body.

• Anti-corruption: actions or policies aimed at preventing, exposing, or punishing corruption, especially among government officials.

• Appointee: a person who is officially chosen for a position, often by someone in power (e.g., the president).

• Bill: a proposed law presented to a legislature for approval.

• Bodies (political/governmental): organized groups, departments, or agencies that perform specific functions within a government.

• Civic engagement: active participation in public life and politics by citizens, including voting, protesting, or community organizing.

• Civil society: organizations and institutions that represent the interests of citizens outside of the government, such as NGOs, advocacy groups, and labor unions.

• Commendable: worthy of praise or admiration; used to describe a positive action or decision, especially in public service or leadership.

• Commends: publicly expresses approval or admiration for someone’s actions, often used in official or formal statements.

• Commissioner for Enlargement: a European Union official responsible for overseeing the process of allowing new countries to join the EU.

• Convictions: legal judgments declaring someone guilty of a crime; in anti-corruption work, this refers to successful prosecutions.

• Corruption: the abuse of entrusted power for personal or political gain, often involving bribery or favoritism.

• Dissent: the expression of opinions or actions that challenge official policies or authority.

• European Union (EU): a political and economic union of 27 European countries that promotes integration and cooperation among its members.

• Extravagant: excessive or overly luxurious, often used to describe irresponsible spending by public officials.

• Full-scale invasion: a large and comprehensive military attack, involving widespread deployment of armed forces across multiple regions.

• Independence (of agencies): the ability of institutions to operate without political interference, especially from those in power.

• Prosecutor general: the highest-ranking official in a country’s prosecution system, often overseeing public prosecutors and legal investigations.

• Reversal: a complete change of a previous policy or decision.

• Transparency: the practice of operating in a way that is open and accessible to public scrutiny, often used to prevent corruption.