Everyone has the right to appeal for protection of his/her rights and freedoms to the ombudsman. After exhausting all domestic legal remedies, everyone has the right to appeal for the protection of his or her rights and freedoms to relevant international judicial institutions or relevant international organizations to which Ukraine is a member or a participant. According to the Constitution, everyone has the right to compensation, at the expense of national or local government, for material and/or moral damages inflicted by unlawful decisions, actions or failure or authorities to act.

References: Art. 55, 56, Constitution of Ukraine

References: www.pravda.com.ua

References: Civil Processal Code of Ukraine, Art. 248 Law "On the Constitutional Court of Ukraine" (1996), Art.61

References: Interview with independent experts

References: Interviews with representative of ministry of economy

References: Constitution of Ukraine, Art. 105; Art. 111

References: Constitution of Ukraine Art. 24

References: Law "On Civil Service," Art.6 Law "On Fighting Corruption," Art.13

References: Law "On Civil Service," Art.6 Law "On Fighting Corruption," Art.13

References: Law "On Fighting Corruption" (1995), Art.1

References: Law "On Civil Service"

References: Interview with member of Cabinet of Ministry of Ukraine

References: Interviews with MP Levchenko K. Kiev. Aug. 4, 2007

References: Interview with MP of Ukraine

References: Interviews with MP Levchenko K. Kiev. Aug. 4, 2007

Peer Review Comments: Some journalists come up with semi-investigative pieces detailing the inconsistencies in such disclosures and their disconnection with reality. However, such articles usually only elicit smiles and shrugs from the public accustomed to rampant corruption, meaning to say: and what else did you expect?

The accuracy of the information provided in the declaration can be verified by the State Taxation Administration at the order of the CEC. If the information is found to be deliberately distorted or false, the CEC denies the candidate's registration. If the distortions are found after the official registration, the CEC has five days to request that the Supreme Court of Ukraine to abolish the registration. If the Supreme Court rules to abolish the candidate's registration, the court must initiate a criminal investigation into the matter. The CEC publishes declarations of all presidential candidates in the state's official newspapers, the "Holos Ukrainy" and the "Uriadvovyi Kurrier," within three days of their submission.

References: The Law "On Election of the President of Ukraine" Art. 22, Art. 29

Peer Review Comments: President Yushchenko initiated a practice of yearly disclosures of assets by major government officials. However, figures provided in these public disclosures are sometimes questionable if not plainly ridiculous, often underrepresenting the actual assets.

References: Official site of the President of Ukraine www.prisident.gov.ua

Peer Review Comments: Hard to provide a judgement based on the available data.

References: www.president.gov.ua

Peer Review Comments: Ministers' disclosure records are often published in the media, including online media

References: Interview with member of opposition party Interview of Ukrainian politologiest [ LINK ] "Ukraine: totalitarian way of development as alternative of democracy" [ LINK ] "Expert ploitical project" [ LINK ] Vasil' Kremenets interview to newspaper "Day"

Peer Review Comments: The practice of using government funds and resources to support party (or individuals within a party) is widespread, but a considerable degree of continuity among civil servants in ministries and the presidential secretariat means that state interests are not entirely merged with party interests. Also it is important to note that parties themselves are poorly developed and comprise heterogeneous interests, that floor-crossing is common and political loyalties fickle, so the extent we can ascribe agency to parties is somewhat limited.