A coalition of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) has publicly urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to veto a proposed bill that aims to limit access to real estate register databases. The NGOs highlighted that such restrictions would significantly obstruct transparency efforts, particularly in uncovering corruption and supporting independent investigative journalism.
The legislation, which is currently under review, would impose tighter controls on accessing the real estate register, a critical tool for tracking property ownership and transaction histories. Advocacy groups claim that these measures could deter journalists and researchers from scrutinizing potential illicit transactions, thereby weakening the mechanisms in place to combat graft. The proposed law has drawn criticism from legal experts and transparency advocates, who argue that it undermines the public’s right to information.
Zelensky’s administration has not yet commented on the NGOs’ call, but the issue is part of a broader discussion on balancing national security concerns with transparency and accountability. The debate underscores the complex trade-offs involved in legislative decisions that affect public access to critical information in a democratic framework.