Zelenskyy amid third day of protests: It is important that Ukrainians respond to all events with such dignity

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stated that the text of draft bill No. 13533 has been discussed and that he has instructed government officials to present it to all of Ukraine's partners. Following a wave of protests over the law that limits the independence of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO), Zelenskyy has said that "it is important that Ukrainians respond to all events with such dignity".

Source: Zelenskyy's evening address on 24 July 

Quote: "Today [24 July], my bill is already in the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine [Ukrainian Parliament] – fulfilling my promise – for justice, for law enforcement and anti-corruption agencies. Full-fledged guarantees of the independence of anti-corruption agencies. Real opportunities to verify, so that any Russian interference is kept out.

Everyone who has access to state secrets – and this includes not only NABU and SAPO, but also the SBI, our National Police – must undergo lie detector tests. And these must be regular checks. The bill also contains provisions to prevent various abuses.

The text of the bill was discussed with partners, law enforcement agencies, and representatives of NABU and SAPO. There were many proposals from our partners to involve European experts – from the UK, Germany, and the EU. I instructed our Government officials to present the bill to all our partners and to engage all necessary expert capabilities.

And of course, it is important that Ukrainians are responding with such dignity to everything that’s happening. Ukraine is a country of people who don’t look away. I thank everyone who is fighting for our state, who is working for Ukraine. Thank you! Thank you!"

Previously: On 24 July, Zelenskyy's draft bill No. 13533 on the powers of the anti-corruption bodies NABU and SAPO was published on the website of the Verkhovna Rada.

The bill contains a provision that "NABU employees who have access to state secrets will be required to undergo a polygraph test organised by the Security Service of Ukraine within six months".

NABU added that in the new bill regarding anti-corruption bodies, the polygraph check for NABU employees will be conducted not by the Security Service of Ukraine, but by the bureau's internal control unit.

Background: 

• On 22 July, the Verkhovna Rada (Ukrainian Parliament) voted in favour of draft law No. 12414, making NABU and SAPO dependent on the decisions of the prosecutor general. On the evening of 22 July, Zelenskyy signed the document.
• Protests were held in many cities across Ukraine following the adoption of this legislative initiative.
• Following this, Zelenskyy promised to submit a draft law to the Verkhovna Rada that would "empower the law enforcement system" and preserve "all the provisions required for the anti-corruption institutions' independence".

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