Baku/22.08.23/Turan: In a bold move against corruption, Ukraine is set to inaugurate a whistleblower hotline that not only empowers citizens to report suspected wrongdoing but also promises a portion of the illicit gains to those who bring such transgressions to light, according to reports by Ukrinform.
The National Agency of Corruption Prevention of Ukraine announced plans to unveil a public platform designed to serve as a digital portal for individuals to confidentially report instances of suspected corruption. Headed by Oleksandr Novikov, the agency aims to motivate potential informants by offering them a share of 10% of the recovered proceeds from any successfully prosecuted case. This innovative incentive scheme, set to launch in September, could amount to a substantial reward, capped at 14 million hryvnias ($380,000), marking the first-ever whistleblower reward program in Ukraine.
The anti-corruption drive comes at a crucial time for Ukraine, as a recent poll revealed that 89% of Ukrainians identify corruption as the nation's most pressing issue, following the Russian invasion. This poses a considerable challenge for President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who, according to another poll, is held accountable for corruption within governmental and military institutions by 77% of the population, as reported by Interfax-Ukraine.
This corruption crisis intersects with Ukraine's security concerns. A recent exposé in The Guardian spotlighted the prevalence of bribery in military recruitment, with individuals reportedly paying $5,000 to evade conscription. This issue underscores the broader challenges within the country's ability to defend itself.
President Zelenskyy's recent actions reflect his commitment to tackling corruption head-on. In August, he carried out a sweeping purge of regional military administrators, condemning the practice of "cynicism and bribery during war" as tantamount to high treason.
The European Union has consistently underscored the importance of eradicating corruption as a pivotal condition for Ukraine's potential accession. The National Agency of Corruption Prevention's (NACP) groundbreaking initiative, backed by EU support, is one of three key bodies dedicated to addressing corruption in the country. As Ukraine takes strides to reclaim its integrity, the whistleblower hotline emerges as a beacon of hope in the battle against pervasive corruption.
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