The Parliament has adopted in full the bills on combating bribery of foreign officials. The adoption of the laws was necessary for submitting an application for membership in the Organization for Economic Cooperation. This is reported by UNN with reference to MP Yaroslav Zheleznyak.
Details
According to Zheleznyak, the bill No. 10319 on tax measures for further combating bribery of foreign officials in international business operations was approved in full. The document was supported by 287 MPs.
One of the articles of the Tax Code will include a provision on the payment of a bribe to an official from another country. The National Anti-Corruption Bureau will be obliged to detect and investigate such violations. Fines may be imposed for the provision or promise of an undue advantage.
The Rada also voted for bill No. 11443, which brings the liability of legal entities for corruption offenses in line with international standards. 261 people's deputies voted "for".
As Zheleznyak noted, these are very important steps for Ukraine's further progress towards OECD membership.
"The laws had to be adopted in December before the next stage of negotiations on this issue. On December 13, the final report before submitting the application", the MP said.
Reminder
The Verkhovna Rada reported that bill No. 11443 aims to strengthen the fight against bribery in international business operations. The document is aimed at increasing the liability of legal entities for corruption offenses, which is an important step in strengthening the international community's trust in Ukraine.
The Chairman of the Committee on Law Enforcement, Serhiy Ionushas, emphasized that the bill introduces in Ukraine the institute of criminal law measures against legal entities for the commission of bribery of foreign officials.
This is a new institute for Ukraine, but in such developed countries as the USA, France, Germany, it is a standard. The bill provides for the introduction of separate liability of legal entities.
It also establishes the rules for the application of criminal law measures, increases the amount of fines and provides the possibility of applying additional (non-financial) measures, such as temporary restrictions on the activities of legal entities.
In addition, amendments to the Criminal Procedure Code of Ukraine regulate the conduct of criminal proceedings on the application of these measures in a special procedure.