With EU support, Ukrainian civil society coalition launches project to safeguard justice sector reforms

With EU support, Ukrainian civil society coalition launches project to safeguard justice sector reforms

On Thursday, April 16, the Anti-Corruption Action Centre (AntAC) and its partners launched a new EU-funded project to monitor justice sector reforms at the conference "Operation 'European Integration': Reforms in the Justice Sector."

The project, titled "Frontline for Justice: Civic Action to Safeguard Rule of Law and Institutional Integrity", strengthens civil society's role in protecting rule-of-law reforms in Ukraine during wartime and the EU accession process. Implemented by a coalition of leading Ukrainian NGOs, it monitors legislation, safeguards the independence of anti-corruption and judicial institutions, tracks the performance of justice and law-enforcement bodies, and conducts integrity checks during key public appointments. Through legal analysis, advocacy, public communication, and cooperation with international partners, the project promotes accountability in public governance, strengthens democratic oversight, and supports Ukraine's progress toward European integration.

The event brought together representatives of the Ukrainian government, the EU diplomatic corps, and leading civil society experts to discuss a critical package of reforms required for Ukraine's accession to the European Union.

In her opening remarks, EU Ambassador to Ukraine Katarína Mathernová reaffirmed the EU's unwavering support for Ukraine's European integration ambitions and highlighted the importance of civil society's role in monitoring reforms.

"Rule of law reform is at the heart of Ukraine's path to EU membership, and today's discussion shows that Ukrainian authorities and civil society are ready to tackle it together. The European Union is proud to support the coalition led by AntAC, together with Dejure, Automaidan and Mezha, as they monitor progress on the agreed reform priorities and help keep Ukraine's accession on track," said Katarína Mathernová, Ambassador of the European Union to Ukraine.

The opening of the event also featured remarks by the Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, Lieutenant General Kyrylo Budanov, and Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine Taras Kachka.

"Corruption begins where extensive manual control begins. Where everything operates under the rule of law, based on rules and legislation, the space for corruption is limited. I am very grateful to everyone gathered here for understanding that the rule of law and the fight against corruption are, unfortunately, major issues for Ukraine and ones that require constant attention. Without broad engagement from civil society, we are unlikely to overcome these challenges. As the Head of the Office of the President, I invite all of you to cooperate. At the same time, you should also remember that without engagement from the authorities, you will not be able to implement what you are working on. But together, we can achieve this. Corruption, especially in times of war, is no longer just a matter of criminal law. It is a matter of national security and the survival of the state," said Head of the Office of the President Kyrylo Budanov.

"The importance of the statement that Marta Kos and I made lies in the fact that it defines 10 key steps needed to achieve tangible progress already this year. This helps us consolidate efforts within Ukraine's path toward membership in the European Union. At the same time, the rule of law will remain at the center of our attention at all times. That is why European integration is not just an 'operation.' It is the evolution of the state and its institutions," said Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Taras Kachka.

The discussions focused on Ukraine's implementation of ten priority reforms within the "Fundamentals" negotiation cluster, which the country has committed to deliver in 2026. These are key reforms in the rule of law and anti-corruption spheres, and their implementation is essential to prevent backsliding and the simulation of reforms.

"Implementing the rule of law reform package is crucial for preserving democracy and the system of checks and balances in a country at war. This is our ticket to the EU and the foundation for building a just state where people can live with dignity, not merely survive," said Daria Kaleniuk, Executive Director of AntAC, during the opening.

Key discussion topics:

Law enforcement reform. Participants of the first panel discussed safeguarding the independence of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Bureau of Economic Security (BES). NABU First Deputy Director Denys Gumalgomedov and BES Deputy Director Yurii Bielousov emphasised the need to establish effective safeguards against political influence.

Prosecutorial independence. The second panel focused on reforming the procedure for selecting the Prosecutor General and preventing his influence over the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO). SAPO Head Oleksandr Klymenko and Member of Parliament Yaroslav Yurchyshyn stressed that this reform requires clear and transparent competitive procedures to prevent interference in the selection process.

Judicial reform. The third panel addressed the role of international experts in the appointment of members of the High Council of Justice (HCJ) and the High Qualification Commission of Judges (HQCJ). HCJ member Roman Maselko and representatives of leading civil society organisations emphasised that the involvement of international experts is a necessary and effective tool for cleansing the judiciary, which has already proven its value.

The event served as a platform for direct dialogue between government representatives and civil society, laying the groundwork for further cooperation in implementing European integration reforms in the justice sector.

This event is funded by the European Union within the project "Frontline for Justice: Civic Action to Safeguard Rule of Law and Institutional Integrity" implemented by the Anti-Corruption Action Center, the Center for Democratic Transformation MEZHA, the DEJURE Foundation, and the All-Ukrainian Association Automaidan. The views expressed during the event are those of the participants and may not necessarily reflect the official position of the European Union.