A new bill has been registered in the Verkhovna Rada.

It is Document No. 14130, “On Amendments to Certain Laws of Ukraine Regarding the Strengthening of Existing and the Introduction of Additional Mechanisms for Parliamentary Oversight of the Activities of Law Enforcement Agencies and the Prosecutor General’s Office, including the introduction of annual public reporting on the work of the State Bureau of Investigations and the Office of the Prosecutor General regarding the investigation of cases of torture, other ill-treatment of persons, and the protection of victims.”

The bill proposes amendments to four existing laws of Ukraine:

• the Law of Ukraine “On the State Bureau of Investigations”—regarding the inclusion in the Director of the SBI’s annual report of specific information on investigations into cases of torture and other forms of ill-treatment, as well as measures to protect victims of such acts;
• The Law of Ukraine “On the Prosecutor’s Office”—regarding the obligation of the Prosecutor General to include similar information in his annual report to Parliament;
• The Law of Ukraine “On the Rules of Procedure of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine”—regarding the rules governing the Verkhovna Rada’s consideration of the report of the Director of the Economic Security Bureau of Ukraine;
• The Law of Ukraine “On the Committees of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine”—regarding granting the relevant committee the authority to hold closed-door sessions to hear from the leadership of the National Police on current or high-profile incidents.
   

This draft law was developed to implement the requirements of paragraph 6.1.1 of the action plan aimed at implementing the Comprehensive Strategic Plan for Reforming Law Enforcement Agencies as Part of Ukraine’s Security and Defense Sector for 2023– 2027, approved by Order No. 792-r of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine dated August 23, 2024, as well as paragraph 1 of Strategic Outcome 4 of Chapter 3.2 of Block III of the Roadmap on the Rule of Law, approved by Order of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine No. 475-r dated May 14, 2025 No. 475-r “Certain Issues Regarding the Negotiation Process for Ukraine’s Accession to the European Union under Cluster 1: ‘Fundamentals of the EU Accession Process.’”

Draft Law No. 14130 is an integral part of the implementation of national policy in the field of reforming the security and law enforcement sector, as well as an important step in Ukraine’s fulfillment of its obligations within the framework of the negotiation process on accession to the European Union.

Its adoption will contribute to:

• the implementation of European standards of accountability and transparency in law enforcement;
• the creation of mechanisms for the systematic monitoring of cases of torture and ill-treatment;
• enhancing the effectiveness of parliamentary oversight and public trust in law enforcement agencies;
• strengthening the state’s institutional capacity in the area of human rights protection.
   

Thus, the bill has not only domestic institutional significance but also strategic importance for European integration, as it meets the European Commission’s requirements regarding democratic civilian oversight of the law enforcement system and respect for human rights in the activities of law enforcement agencies.