procedure for those displaced from Crimea easier and faster, especially for those who wish to re-register their business. Thus, IDPs from Crimea in mainland Ukraine will no longer need other documents than the national passport. Amnesty 101. During the reporting period, no actual progress was made in adopting an amnesty law in relation to the events in the east of the country. On 18 April 2014, the Cabinet of Ministers prepared a draft law “On the prevention of harassment and punishment of persons in relation to the events that took place during mass actions of civil resistance which began on 22 February 2014". The text would exempt from criminal liability all those who attempted to overthrow the legal government; took part in riots; seized administrative and public buildings; and violated the territorial integrity of Ukraine, provided they agreed to voluntarily cease all illegal actions and were not guilty of “particularly serious crimes”. Four other so-called “amnesty laws” were registered in Parliament by different political parties between 9 and 23 April. On 6 May, a draft resolution was registered, calling on Parliament to make the draft law submitted by the Cabinet of Minister the basis for the adoption of an amnesty law. During his inauguration speech, on 7 June, President Poroshenko offered to amnesty protesters who did not have “blood on their hands”. Discrimination 102. On 13 May, Parliament adopted amendments to the Law “On preventing and countering discrimination”. The amendments bring the definitions of direct and indirect discrimination in line with Ukraine’s obligations under the ICCPR and other international human rights instruments. They include, in particular, the prohibited grounds listed in Article 2(1) of the Covenant (except “birth”). It should be noted, however, that the amendments do not integrate the jurisprudence of the UN Human Rights Committee on the prevention of discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. The amendments also provide for criminal, civil and administrative liability in case of discrimination. While these are positive changes, other legal texts, notably the Criminal Code, must be brought in line with the anti-discrimination amendments in order to ensure effective remedies for victims and contribute to enhanced prevention of discrimination. Anti-corruption 103. On 13 May, Parliament adopted the Law "On amending some legislative acts Ukraine in the area of state anti-corruption policy in connection with the implementation of the EU Action Plan on the liberalisation of the visa regime for Ukraine”. The Law provides for more stringent penalties for corruption offences committed by individuals or legal entities. In particular, the liability for providing knowingly false data in the declaration of assets, income and expenses is introduced to the Code on Administrative Offences. The Law also strengthens the protection of persons reporting on corruption, for instance, providing for anonymous phone lines for reporting corruption. An external control of declarations of assets, income, expenses and financial obligations is also to be introduced. While the amendments are welcome, the key to combatting corruption lies in the readiness of all government institutions to effectively tackle this phenomenon and to 88 | P a g e