The Committee on Legislative Support of Law Enforcement discussed bills on the prosecutor’s office
11 September 2013, 16:18
People’s deputies, representatives of the Prosecutor General’s Office, Security Service, ministries of internal affairs and justice, advocacy, specialists and experts participated in the meeting.
Committee Chairman Andriy Kozhemyakin noted that the Committee has prepared the bill on the prosecutor’s office (Reg. No. 0886) for consideration in the second reading by the Verkhovna Rada. The bill has been twice referred to the Venice Commission and was given a negative Opinion. He informed that the Committee has considered this Opinion and the suggested version of the bill fully corresponds to the European requirements.
A.Kozhemyakin informed that the working group at the Administration of the President of Ukraine has elaborated a new bill on the prosecutor’s office. This bill was referred to the Venice Commission and the Opinion is expected for October 10-11. According to A.Kozhemyakin, both bills are 50% similar in terms of principles and concepts taken as a basis.
A.Kozhemyakin reminded that the specialized Committee is constantly in the process of preparation of legislative acts pertaining to reforming the prosecutor’s office. “Starting since 2008, the Committee has held four round table discussions, several conferences and other events during which these issues were discussed,” he informed.
Participants of the debates noted that the previous bill, registered under No. 0886, is outdated. According to them, the bill contradicts the Constitution of Ukraine, particularly, in the issues pertaining to the system of prosecutor’s office. It was noted that the Venice Commission provided a negative Opinion on the bill. Under such conditions, the working group at the Administration of the President of Ukraine has prepared a new bill that considered provisions of the previous one. At the same time, presidential bill included a lot of novelties. In particular, it abolished general supervision on the part of the prosecutor’s office.
Representatives of the Prosecutor General’s Office, Security Service, Internal Affairs Ministry, Ministry of Justice and advocacy upheld the bill, elaborated by the working group at the Administration of the President of Ukraine.
Deputy Chairman of the Committee Volodymyr Oliynyk noted that government should take the initiative in the issues like reforming the prosecutor’s office. According to him, final and transitional provisions will be the most complicated when adopting the bill on the prosecutor’ office.
The people’s deputy Serhiy Sas noted that there should be no regulatory obstacles during adoption of the bill on the prosecutor’s office. He made a number of remarks to the articles of the bill, prepared by the working group at the Administration of the President of Ukraine.
Chairman of the subcommittee Hennadiy Vasyliev noted that any reforming should be conducted with consideration of national peculiarities and “we should not blindly follow recommendations”.
Summing up, the Committee Chair noted that there is no doubt that the presidential bill was better prepared. According to him, the Committee has referred its bill for consideration by the working group in April already. He drew attention to the fact that 52 articles of both bills are similar.
A.Kozhemyakin invited participants of the discussion to attend next Committee’s meetings and expressed hope that the new law on the prosecutor’s office will be adopted in the nearest future.