The concept of reform of the Interior Ministry of Ukraine based on the principle of respect for human rights
“Voice of Ukraine” continues the series of publications on the subject of reforming the organs of internal affairs of Ukraine. According to the press service of the power department, the pilot project has been successfully operating in the Lviv region. However, experts are convinced that delay the introduction of changes in other regions do not. Because the old system of the Interior Ministry – is dangerous for the country. In addition, the reform, which will last for years, will become irrelevant over time. So, how and when it will be to rebuild the police? This is what we have talked with the director of the Center for Law Enforcement, member of the Expert Council under the Ministry of Internal Affairs Oleg Martynenko.
– Changes in the militia will be radical?
– Yes that’s right you noticed. Reform is urgently needed. After all, the level of public confidence in the police as much as possible reached only 3-5%, but after the events of euromaidan this figure, according to the Institute of Sociology of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, fell to 0.8% of the respondents. At the same time the confidence of the police officers themselves to the government traditionally does not exceed 3%. The main reason – the systemic weaknesses in the police department operations. Developed the concept of reforming the human rights organization headed by the Ukrainian Helsinki Union, the members of the Expert Council under the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Previously, such documents were introduced by law enforcers. Then they tried to seize the new units and beat a lot of money. This time it’s different. The main objective of the document – to change the Ukrainian police on the European model. Therefore, the concept is based on the principle of respect for human rights in law enforcement. From now on, more attention will be paid to the prevention of crime, as well as work more closely with the population.
– Tell us briefly about the structural changes that are planned to enter.
– The territorial division of the National Police (police renamed the police -. Ed.) Will have the right to plan current activities, personnel policy, budget allocations. At the same time they are able to receive funding not only from the center, but also from local budgets. Will be created and the local police. Its main task – to support the rule of law on the territory accountable. It will patrol public places, monitoring of compliance with the rules of trade, and so on. D. Liquidation Office for Combating Organized Crime. One part will be part of the Ministry of Interior, the other – in the SBU. Also, according to the concept, the Expert forensic service MIA will report to the Ministry of Justice. Part of the Ministry of Internal Affairs investigators will go to the State Bureau of Investigation, as soon as such a body is created. State Guard Service will be withdrawn from the Interior Ministry. In turn, the traffic police will take away the functions of registration of vehicles and driving licenses – they give or local authorities or private companies.
– What is written in the concept to solve the problem of violence to the police?
– There laid a few things that can affect the improvement of the situation: a new selection and work with personnel. In addition, the payment of compensation to the victim, and, mind you, not from the pocket of the perpetrator (as it is today), and from the budget department (not the Ministry, namely the separation). Then we see how, for example, the head of the unit will defend his subordinate.
– How long will this reform?
– The main objective of the reform to all service agencies working to protect the population, rather than the power elite. However, I think the result will be seen only after 5-8 years. This is a long process, and not all want to start. Several expert groups for roughly a year should work to write out a “road map” with the financial settlement, the development of new laws and amendments to existing laws. The embodiment of such a document could take years. Poles have still reform their police, though they started in the 1990s. A parallel need to start at least some changes in the ministry.
– Thank you.
Interviewed by Alexander Pekny
Sourse, 08/11/2014
