By far the highest number of reports of corruption in the state administration

The Transparency International Bosnia and Herzegovina Anti-Corruption Legal Aid Center (TI BiH), a project supported by the Governments of Norway and Germany, as well as Civil Rights Defenders, was launched in 2014. received 1149 calls via the toll-free line for reporting corruption cases ( 0800-55555 ), and a large number of reports arrived electronically, ie to the e-mail address centar@ti-bih.org or via the website www.ti-bih.org .

TI BiH treated the relevant institutions on the basis of 181 cases, and by far the largest number in 2014. (30.3%) referred to the state administration, then from the category of other, which refers to various inquiries of citizens, especially in the areas affected by floods and landslides (16.5%), justice (10.4%) and education 9.3%).

As in previous years, most of the applications were related to irregularities in the employment process, so irregular competitions were announced for the admission of civil servants at all levels of government, as well as the admission of employees in public institutions and public companies. The number of applications for the work of public companies and public institutions has increased, and the applications most often referred to the process of public procurement and direct agreements with bidders.

The large number of reports in the remaining category is due to the fact that BiH was affected by floods and landslides, and more than 500 reports related to irregularities in the allocation of humanitarian aid and the list of damages.

In 12 cases, TI BiH acted on the basis of complaints about the work of judicial institutions, mostly reporting the length of court proceedings, failure of the prosecutor’s office to respond to citizens’ reports and delays, resulting in statute of limitations or a decision not to conduct an investigation. One report related to the work of the Chief Prosecutor of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and was submitted anonymously by the Prosecutors of the Prosecutor’s Office of BiH.

As one of the successful examples, TI BiH singles out the case of a party from Sarajevo that managed to protect its private property after a long struggle with the administration of the Municipality of Centar Sarajevo due to illegal construction by an investor who tried to build on his land. TI BiH’s legal advisers advised foreigners to submit a request for protection of constitutionally guaranteed rights and freedoms in order to finally enforce the municipality’s decision to demolish the illegal building, and assisted foreigners in drafting the request. The court accepted the request and the building was demolished, and thanks to the help of TI BiH’s legal advisers, the party was able to protect its property.

However, the increased number of reports, as well as complaints about the work of judicial bodies, testify that the prosecution of corruption is still at an unsatisfactory level. Improper application of the Law on Freedom of Access to Information is still visible, and TI BiH filed 32 lawsuits against institutions that violated the law last year alone, while 6 verdicts were issued from previously initiated proceedings for violating FOIA in favor of TI BiH.

TI BiH once again appeals to all those who were witnesses or victims of corruption to report all observed irregularities to the competent institutions and through the toll-free line 0800 55555 or the website www.ti-bih.org .
Press rls – 5 2 2015 doc