Collegium of House of Representatives in BiH Parliament supported TI BiH’s initiative

Sarajevo, February 11th, 2008 – TI BiH’s initiative for the necessary adoption of the Anti-corruption strategy in the BiH Parliamentary Assembly was supported by Collegium of House of Representatives in the BiH Parliament. TI BiH’s initiative, together with the “National Integrity Improvement” document, which contains suggestions for the Anti- corruption strategy, designed in cooperation with experts who represent state institutions and civil society organizations, and with the support of Open Society BiH Fund, was presented to all of BiH Parliamentary Assembly delegates. A significant number of them expressed their readiness to support this initiative.

The key reasons behind this initiative are also the objections on the existing Council of Ministers’ strategy for the fight against organized crime and corruption: nonexistent mechanisms for coordination, monitoring and implementation, and the time limit given for strategic planning. The time limit for implementation of activities set by the action plan is vague, and those in charge of the activities are not identified. Putting together the two great problems that BiH society deals with– organized crime and corruption – into one document, from the aspect of feasibility of stipulated measures is not an appropriate solution, having in mind that this approach blurs the focus of necessary activities.

All this implies that it is necessary to adopt a revised strategy specially aimed at fighting against corruption on behalf of BiH Parliamentary Assembly. Adopting the strategy by the highest legislative body would not only strengthen the Anti- corruption strategy and give it appropriate significance, but would also set apart institutions in charge of its implementation and supervision, which was not the case so far, and proved as inapplicable.

“A clear demonstration of the parliament’s leading role in the fight against corruption enables high quality coordination and also activating the highest elected body, whose greatest responsibility is towards the citizens”, emphasized Boris Divjak, the Chairman of Board of Directors of TI BiH. The document called “National Integrity System Improvement” identifies main areas that so far created space for ‘grey’ or illegal action, where we suggest strengthening the legal frame and institutions, on the basis of international instruments ratified by BiH and the best practices in developed countries. The support of Parliamentary Assembly to this initiative is a sign that the parliament, as the highest body in the state authority structure, is ready to take the constitutional role in solving the leading issues in the country which the success of reform process is dependent on”, concluded Divjak.