DEJURE Foundation: Institutional Sponsorship and Staffing of the PIC

📋 Instance Information

Date:
January 1, 2016
Event:
DEJURE Foundation originates, institutionally sponsors, and systematically staffs the PIC across all compositions
Location:
Kyiv, Ukraine
Venue Type:
Institutional
Severity:
HIGH
Verified:
✓ Yes
Verified Date:
April 26, 2026

🎯 Position at Time of Violation

Position: DEJURE Foundation as PIC originator, sponsor, and political defender

💬 The Statement

"An organization cannot create, staff, sponsor, and defend an institution while disavowing the methodology that institution applies. "

Context: CrimeaWatch analysis of DEJURE's institutional relationship with the PIC

📄 Full Details

Background#

DEJURE Foundation was co-founded in 2016 by Mykhailo Zhernakov, a former judge who originated the concept of the Public Integrity Council.

DEJURE Staff Across PIC Compositions#

  • Mykhailo Zhernakov — Co-founder, Chair of the Board; PIC originator and coordinator (2019–2020)
  • Anton Zelinskyi — Advocacy Manager; PIC member (third and fourth compositions)
  • Veronika Kreidenkova — Advocacy Manager; PIC member (third composition)
  • Andrii Kulibaba — PIC member (second composition co-coordinator; third composition)
  • Eleonora Yemets — PIC member (fourth composition) representing DEJURE

Three Dimensions of Institutional Responsibility#

DEJURE’s relationship with the PIC operates on three levels: origination (Zhernakov created the institution), sponsorship (DEJURE provides institutional support), and political defense (DEJURE opposes legislative threats to PIC powers). Each level deepens the organization’s responsibility for the PIC’s methodology.

The Rada Investigation#

In November–December 2025, the Verkhovna Rada’s Temporary Investigative Commission investigated DEJURE’s influence on PIC formation and donor fund transparency, raising structural questions about the concentration of institutional control.

🔎 Evidence