Oleksiy Shevchuk, Chairman of the Ukrainian National Lobbyists Association: Lobbying for constitutional amendments must be officially registered
Oleksiy Shevchuk, a lawyer and president of the Ukrainian National Lobbyists Association (UNLA), called for the introduction of transparent rules for all individuals who engage in lobbying or advocacy for legislative initiatives related to changes in the structure of government bodies, their reporting lines, the functioning of government agencies, or amendments to the Constitution of Ukraine.
According to Oleksiy Shevchuk, the issue of transparency in lobbying is of fundamental importance when it comes to reforming state institutions and changing the mechanisms by which government bodies operate.
“All individuals in the country who engage in lobbying or advocacy for legislative initiatives related to changes in the structure of government bodies, changes in the functioning of individual government agencies and their reporting relationships, amendments to the Constitution, or changes to the chain of command for officials of state authorities, must be officially registered,” he emphasized.
Separately, the head of the Ukrainian National Lobbyists Association emphasized the need to follow the procedures established by law when nominating candidates for government positions. He emphasized that such nominations must be made exclusively by the relevant minister, not by a person temporarily acting in that capacity, after which the candidates must be reviewed and approved by the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine.
As an example, he cited situations in which certain participants in socio-political processes promote procedures that, in his view, are not provided for by current legislation or the Constitution of Ukraine.
“We are witnessing overt propaganda aimed at promoting procedures that are not provided for by current legislation or the Constitution,” said Oleksiy Shevchuk.
At the same time, he expressed concern that certain organized groups might be conducting large-scale information campaigns aimed at changing state institutions, using foreign funding.
“These days, whether it’s drafting a law or holding a rally, everything requires financial resources. As the head of the National Association of Lobbyists, I am concerned that there are groups of people who can freely conduct active campaigns aimed at changing the way government agencies operate,” he said.
According to the head of the Ukrainian National Lobbyists Association, the public has the right to know who is funding campaigns related to changes in the functioning of government agencies or amendments to the Constitution.
“Who is funding campaigns aimed at changing the way government agencies operate in the country? Who is funding campaigns aimed at amending our country’s Constitution? Who is footing the bill?” asked Oleksiy Shevchuk.
He also highlighted the need to ensure uniform transparency rules for all participants in the process of influencing legislative decisions.
According to Oleksiy Shevchuk, officially registered lobbyists are already required to report their contacts with members of parliament, while other individuals may participate in the drafting of legislative initiatives without being subject to similar public reporting requirements.
“While lobbyists today are required to report their meetings with members of parliament, those who do not report their meetings with lawmakers can, at no cost and without hindrance—using funds from some investor—meet with compliant lawmakers and submit draft laws to them that end up in parliament. And we have no idea who is financing this campaign—which is sometimes destructive—against the functioning of the state as a whole,” concluded the head of the National Association of Lobbyists of Ukraine.
As a reminder, attorney Oleksiy Shevchuk spoke outabout attempts to block the work of the High Council of Justice.
Oleksiy Shevchuk called for an end to the harassment of the police following the terrorist attack in Kyiv.
Oleksiy Shevchuk has been appointed to the selection committee for the position of deputy head of the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office.
