On June 3, 2021, HQCJU Secretariat’s leadership held an online expert meeting with representatives of the Anti-Corruption Network for Eastern Europe and Central Asia of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD Anti-Corruption Network) Dr. Ciril Kersmanc and Rusudan Mikhelidze.
The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the Sphere of Activity No. 5 “Independence of the Judiciary” within the framework of the OECD Anti-Corruption Network implementation of the 5th round of monitoring of Ukraine concerning the implementation of the Istanbul Anti-Corruption Plan.
The Commission was represented by Deputy Head of the Commission’s Secretariat Oleksandr Bystrushkin and Director of the Judicial Career Department Taras Neshyk.
Experts of the OECD Anti-Corruption Network and representatives of the judiciary discussed the issues of appointment, dismissal and transfer of judges; qualification assessment; work of chairmen of courts and their deputies; the process of distribution of cases between judges; application of disciplinary procedures; judicial budget etc.
Particular attention is paid to the importance of introducing a Unified Judicial Information and Telecommunication System, which would contain electronic dossiers of judges and judicial candidates (currently formed and maintained by the Secretariat of the Commission in paper form).
The meeting was also attended by former Chairman of the Public Council of International Experts Sir Anthony Hooper, Deputy Chairman of the NAPC – National Coordinator for the Implementation of the Istanbul OECD Anti-Corruption Action Plan Ivan Presnyakov, representatives of the Ministry of Justice, the Council of Judges of Ukraine, The Supreme Court, the State Judicial Administration of Ukraine, the Public Council of Integrity.
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Within the framework of the OECD, Ukraine has been a participant in the Istanbul Anti-Corruption Action Plan of the OECD Anti-Corruption Network for Eastern Europe and Central Asia since 2003. The main principles of the Istanbul Action Plan are the development of an effective and transparent civil service system, strengthening the fight against bribery, ensuring fairness in business and supporting active public participation in reforms. In Ukraine the National Agency for the Prevention of Corruption is currently the coordinator for the implementation of this action plan.