Survey Says Most Ukrainians Support Expedited Measures to Punish Corrupt Officials
According to survey data from the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KMIS), over half of Ukrainians (55 percent) advocate for the prompt punishment of corrupt officials, even if it involves violating the law by expediting unspecified punishments without due process for the accused.
Meanwhile, 42 percent of respondents believe that punishment should be in accordance with the law, even if it takes an extended period. The remaining 3 percent of respondents remained undecided.
Anton Hrushetsky, deputy director of KMIS, said that corruption remains a significant source of frustration in Ukrainian society. Most Ukrainians demand the swift punishment of corrupt officials, even in violation of the law, marking a noticeable shift towards more radical views compared to the period before the Russian full-scale invasion.
Actually, this is an alarming trend, as it contradicts the development of a modern European state governed by the rule of law, Hrushetsky said.
He said that recent revelations about certain officials may only serve as an argument for a limited time that the fight against corruption is genuinely underway. He said that the public expects tangible sentences and real accountability.
Therefore, the favored method of delaying and, as a result, burying cases may protect someone’s corrupt friend momentarily and could have a detrimental impact on government support in the near future, warned Hrushetsky.
The survey, conducted from Nov. 29 to Dec. 9, 2023, involved 1,031 respondents from all regions, excluding the temporarily occupied territories of Crimea and Donbas, as well as areas lacking Ukrainian mobile communication at the time of the survey.
Deputy Executive Director of Transparency International Ukraine, Anastasia Mazurok, previously presented another sociological study, revealing that Ukrainians view as the country’s main problems: the war (96 percent in November, compared to 98 percent in March) and corruption (88 percent in November, compared to 77 percent in March).
While Ukrainians had remained apprehensive about the war, down by a slight two percent, corruption concerns had increased by 11 percent. Respondents identified corruption as the most significant risk to the country’s recovery, citing the return of corruption schemes (79 percent) and the lack of control, leading to embezzlement of funds (75 percent).
It is evident that the majority of Ukrainians desire expedited measures to punish corrupt officials, even if it means bypassing legal procedures. This shift towards more radical views underscores the frustration that corruption continues to breed in Ukrainian society. The survey conducted by KMIS reveals that 55 percent of respondents advocate for prompt punishment, while 42 percent believe that punishment should be in accordance with the law, even if it takes longer. The remaining 3 percent remained undecided.
Anton Hrushetsky, deputy director of KMIS, sounded the alarm about this trend, emphasizing that it contradicts the development of a modern European state governed by the rule of law. He expressed concern that recent revelations about corrupt officials may only temporarily appease public sentiment and that tangible sentences and real accountability are needed to address corruption effectively. Hrushetsky warned that the preferred method of delaying cases risks protecting corrupt individuals temporarily and could have long-term implications for government support.
The survey, conducted in late 2023, included 1,031 respondents from all regions of Ukraine, excluding Crimea, Donbas, and areas without mobile communication at the time. These findings align with another study conducted by Transparency International Ukraine, which highlighted that Ukrainians consider corruption as one of the country’s main problems. The percentage of respondents expressing concern about corruption had increased by 11 percent compared to the previous survey. Ukrainians cited the return of corruption schemes and the lack of control leading to the embezzlement of funds as the most significant risks to the country’s recovery.
The widespread support for expedited measures against corrupt officials reflects the urgent need to tackle corruption in Ukraine. However, it is essential to strike a balance between swift punishment and upholding the rule of law. The fight against corruption requires not only the exposure of corrupt individuals but also the establishment of an effective legal framework that ensures fair trials and due process. By addressing corruption in a lawful and transparent manner, Ukraine can strengthen its path towards becoming a modern European state.
