On October 26, 2018, a presentation and discussion of the ARMA’s Technical Assessment Report was held, which was conducted by international experts with the support of the anti-corruption initiative of the European Union in Ukraine (EUACI).
The assessment procedure was based on the standards and principles used in the area of finding, tracing and management of assets in accordance with international instruments, recommendations and best practices.
The assessment team included:
John Ringguth – Executive Secretary of MONEYVAL, former Director of Public Prosecutions in London, and legal adviser of the Attorney General and Solicitor General in England and Wales;
Jill Thomas - Lead Advisor for the development and management of regional law enforcement and judicial networks of the asset recovery in Europol;
Pedro Gomes Pereira - Advisor on anti-corruption and asset recovery at Basel Institute on Governance with experience in the Ministry of Justice of the Federal Republic of Brazil in the area of asset recovery.
The expert group conducted three stages of technical assessment of the work of ARMA on the criteria of effectiveness, efficiency, mechanism of cooperation with other authorities and independence:
1) interview with ARMA employees;
2) analysis of the questionnaire filled in by ARMA;
3) final interview with ARMA employees and representatives of state authorities with which ARMA cooperates.
The technical assessment contains a number of tips and recommendations aimed at improving the activities of ARMA.
Among the recommendations provided for improving the internal processes of ARMA:
- increasing public support for the work of ARMA;
- raising awareness among investigating authorities and prosecutors of Ukraine about the possibility of ARMA in the international finding and tracing of assets;
- developing quality indicators of effectiveness that will demonstrate the real advantages of the criminal justice system and its perception by the public as a result of ARMA’s work;
- strengthening of interagency cooperation of ARMA with law enforcement and judicial authorities.
In general, the experts concluded that since the creation of ARMA, it has achieved significant results and the required level of efficiency. The experts’ report says “The success of ARMA is key for Ukraine in demonstrating its commitment to the fight against organized crime, corruption and terrorism by confiscating criminal proceeds”.
The discussion was attended by representatives of the European Union Anti-Corruption Initiative in Ukraine, a group of international experts, representatives of embassies, the public, and heads of structural divisions of ARMA.
