 An Immune Reaction |
In early October, President Viktor Yushchenko surprised the nation and Ukraine-watchers abroad by signing legislation that extended immunity from prosecution to more than 200,000 officials serving on regional and local legislative councils. Previously, immunity was granted to members of parliament.
This month, we asked our select group of Opinion Leaders what they thought of the law. As the survey reflects, most were against, and feel that it will hurt Ukraine's international image. One respondent, though, wrote us with comments supporting the president.
In an e-mail, reader James D. Hobbs wrote that he felt the media had rushed to judgment. He said that the president had studied the constitution and signed the bill knowing that the law would not withstand scrutiny by the courts. He opined: "[The media] should back off and permit President Yushchenko an opportunity to accomplish the goals expressed. Perhaps he is too honest and too intelligent for the media and his political opponents?"
Only 9 percent of our respondents felt that the president's action was appropriate, while almost 60 percent strongly disagreed. In a rare occurrence of near unanimity, 94 percent of those polled disagreed with the notion that immunity from prosecution was necessary to attract quality candidates and build a democratic nation, and 85 percent felt that the immunity law cripples Ukraine's ability to impose the rule of law. President Yushchenko's international image as a reformer is likely to be damaged, according to 78 percent of respondents.
If immunity is necessary for legislators, we wondered why it should be extended to everyone. Of those responding to the survey, just over half felt a national tax amnesty forgave past tax evasion.
We asked our Opinion Leaders whether they would conduct their business or personal lives differently if they were exempt from criminal prosecution. We were surprised to learn that 15 percent "absolutely" would change their behavior, but that 42 percent would not. We're happy to learn that our opinion leaders are a moral and law-abiding bunch, mostly.
President Yushchenko was correct to sign legislation that broadly extended immunity from prosecution to deputies of local councils.
Strongly Agree 0%
Agree 9%
Don't Know / No Opinion 9%
Disagree 23%
Strongly Disagree 59%
In order to attract quality candidates and build a democratic nation, it is necessary that legislators and government officials be immune from prosecution.
Strongly Agree 0%
Agree 3%
Don't Know / No Opinion 3%
Disagree 44%
Strongly Disagree 50%
Granting immunity from prosecution to public officials cripples Ukraine's ability to impose the rule of law.
Strongly Agree 49%
Agree 36 %
Don't Know / No Opinion 9%
Disagree 6%
Strongly Disagree 0%
The immunity law will damage President Yushchenko's image as a reformer abroad.
Strongly Agree 36%
Agree 42%
Don't Know / No Opinion 9%
Disagree 7%
Strongly Disagree 6%
Amnesty from prosecution is said to give people a start fresh. People would be more likely to pay current taxes if amnestied from past evasion.
Strongly Agree 3%
Agree 21%
Don't Know / No Opinion 18%
Disagree 36%
Strongly Disagree 22%
If you were given immunity from prosecution, would you conduct your BUSINESS affairs differently?
Absolutely 15%
Possibly 21%
Don't Know / No Opinion 12%
Unlikely 34%
Definitely not 18%
If you were given immunity from prosecution, would you conduct your PERSONAL affairs differently?
Absolutely 15%
Possibly 21%
Don't Know / No Opinion 12%
Unlikely 28%
Definitely not 24%
Ukraine needs to declare a nationwide tax amnesty to help citizens change to become taxpayers.
Strongly Agree 3%
Agree 49%
Don't Know / No Opinion 15%
Disagree 24%
Strongly Disagree 9%
Many of the government's new ministers have been described as "apolitical technocrats." This is the kind of leadership that the country needs.
Strongly Agree 9%
Agree 44%
Don't Know / No Opinion 12%
Disagree 18%
Strongly Disagree 17%
Yulia Tymoshenko will be elected prime minister when parliament makes its choice after the March elections.
Strongly Agree 15%
Agree 18%
Don't Know / No Opinion 27%
Disagree 34%
Strongly Disagree 6%
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Read also previous issue' articles:
What Should Ukraine Do to Support Its Tourism Industry?
What Do You Miss Most From the Home Country?
Ideas for Solving the Insoluble
PUB POLL: Defining the dacha
The Pub Poll Waxes Romantic for
St. Valentine's Day
The Pub Poll Choices for Person of the Year
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