Izvještaji za Medije

TI BiH zahtijeva transparentan proces izrade Zakona o sukobu interesa

Izvještaji za Medije ● 08 Oktobra 2009

Transparency International Bosne i Hercegovine (TI BiH) pozdravlja inicijativu i napore na izradi novog Zakona o sprečavanju sukoba interesa u BiH, smatrajući da je jako važno iskoristiti ovu priliku da se unaprijede zakonska rješenja, imajući u vidu ogromne probleme u implementaciji zakona o sukobu interesa u prethodnom periodu.

Posebno je važno na odgovarajući način definisati situacije u kojima postoji sukob interesa, te način i pravila postupanja institucija koje provode zakon. Takođe je neophodno pooštriti sankcije za lica koja krše zakon, jer je dosadašnja kaznena politika bila neodgovarajuća i nije zadovoljavala osnovne uslove koji bi osigurali generalnu prevenciju sukoba interesa.

Imajući u vidu da se u parlamentarnoj proceduri nalaze i neki od ključnih antikorupcionih zakona, naročito zakon o agenciji za prevenciju korupcije i koordinaciju borbe protiv korupcije, potrebno je osigurati konzistentost zakonskog okvira koji reguliše sprečavanje i borbu protiv korupcije.

TI BiH će od nadležnih institucija zahtijevati osiguravanje transparentosti procesa izrade Zakona o sukobu interesa, kroz provođenje javne rasprave, te uključivanje stručne javnosti u proces njegove izrade. Obzirom da se radi o jednom od ključnih antikorupcionih zakona u zemlji, čija se dosadašnja primjena  nije odvijala na zadovoljavajući način, u proces izrade Zakona neophodno je uključiti sve zainteresovane strane, kako bi kvalitet predloženih zakonskih rješenja bio na što višem nivou, te kako bi se olakšala njihova dosljedna primjena.  

TI BiH demands a transparent process of developing the Law on Conflict of Interests

Izvještaji za Medije ● 08 Oktobra 2009

Transparency International Bosnia and Herzegovina (TI BiH) welcomes the initiative and efforts in drafting the Law on Conflict of Interests, seeing it as a very important opportunity for improve the legal solutions, having in mind enormous previous problems in the implementation of the Law on Conflict of Interests

It is especially important to adequately define situations where there is conflict of interests and procedural rules for institutions implementing the Law. It is also necessary to tighten the sanctions for persons violating the law, since the former penal policy was inadequate and did not satisfy fundamental conditions that would enable a general prevention of conflict of interests

Having in mind that some key anti-corruption laws are in the parliamentary procedure, especially the Law on Agency for the Prevention of Corruption and Coordination of the Fight against Corruption, it is necessary to ensure consistency of the legal framework that regulates prevention and fight against corruption.

TI BiH will demand from relevant institutions to ensure transparency in the process of developing the Law on Conflict of Interests, through public debate and the inclusion of expert stakeholders in the process of its development. Bearing in mind that this is one of key anti-corruption laws in the country, whose previous application was not satisfactory, it is necessary to include all interest parties in the process of developing the Law, in order for the quality of proposed legal solutions to be as high as possible, and in order to ensure their consistent implementation.

New Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou said on Wednesday he would make the fight against corruption a priority.

Izvještaji za Medije ● 07 Oktobra 2009

Grčki premijer se obavezao da će se boriti protiv korupcije

Izvještaji za Medije ● 07 Oktobra 2009

BAE Systems očekuje konačnu odluku

Izvještaji za Medije ● 01 Oktobra 2009

UK: BAE Systems bribery case prosecution is welcome news

Izvještaji za Medije ● 01 Oktobra 2009

Bribes and kickbacks flourish despite sanctions against illegal inducements

Izvještaji za Medije ● 01 Oktobra 2009

Podmićivanje cvjeta uprkos sankcijma

Izvještaji za Medije ● 01 Oktobra 2009

TI BiH zatražio dokaz za tvrdnju premijera Dodika

Izvještaji za Medije ● 30 Septembra 2009

TIPNG says it is disgusting to read about the exposure of the Vice President of the National Alliance (NA) Mr James Kond receiving a substantial payment of K200,000 as a lobbyist

Izvještaji za Medije ● 30 Septembra 2009

TIPNG says this case of blatant “cash for political access” on the part of carbon speculators is simply the ugly face of corporate lobbying in PNG. This buying of political patronage should not be tolerated by forest-owning communities, PNG’s people or the Government.

The public can rightfully ask how many more of these deals have been done, should we also be skeptical about dubious projects that have been pushed by the Government, involving the support given to certain mines, certain hotel developments, certain communications projects, even certain knighthoods that have been awarded TIPNG Chairman Peter Aitsi says, “While the Prime Minister may not have known of the actions of the NA’s Vice President, now that it has been made public he must make public what steps he will now take to ensure this type of "cash for political access" is stamped out and those individuals who have business interests are not allowed access to the dealings of government or be allowed to influence the policy consideration of government?”

This incident clearly highlights the compromising of our National interests by individuals who have political connections. They are selling our state assets with little regard to the long term benefit for our communities.

Mr Aitsi says “This incident is a real reflection of why we need an Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) so that these types of politically linked business activities are able to be investigated fully, and where there is proof of wrong doing, the individuals in question can be prosecuted.

TI BiH requested evidence of Prime Minister Dodik’s statement

Izvještaji za Medije ● 30 Septembra 2009

Anent the statement of Republic of Srpska’s Prime Minister, Milorad Dodik, during the 12th special session of National Assembly of RS, that he received an offer from a representative of international community that he will not be prosecuted if he agrees to constitutional reforms, for which he claims to have a written evidence, Transparency International Bosnia and Herzegovina issued a request for access to information to Prime Minister’s cabinet, where  access to the alleged written evidence is requested.   

Having in mind that the Freedom of Information Act proscribes that all information in the possession of public body are considered as public good, and therefore available to general public, TI BiH expects that this information will be delivered within statutory time limit. 

“This is a very serious accusation, that questions the rule of law in BiH, „therefore we will use all legal means in order to establish the real truth”, stated Srdjan Blagovcanin, TI BiH Executive Director.

TI BiH zatražio dokaz za tvrdnju premijera Dodika

Izvještaji za Medije ● 30 Septembra 2009

U povodu izjave predsjednika Vlade Republike Srpske, Milorada Dodika, tokom dvanaeste posebne sjednice Narodne skupštine RS, da je dobio ponudu od predstavnika međunarodne zajednice da neće biti procesuiran ako pristane na ustavne promjene i da za to ima pismeni dokaz, Transparency International BiH je uputio zahtjev za slobodan pristup informacijama kabinetu premijera Dodika, u kojem se zahtijeva dostavljanje navedenog pismenog dokaza.

Imajući u vidu da je Zakon o slobodi pristupa informacijama predvidio da su sve informacije u posjedu javnog organa javno dobro, i kao takve dostupne najširoj javnosti, TI BiH očekuje da će ova informacija biti dostavljena u zakonskom roku.

„Ovo je veoma ozbiljna optužba, kojom se dovodi u pitanje princip vladavine prava u BiH, stoga ćemo mi iskoristiti sva pravna sredstva kako bi se utvrdila prava istina“, rekao je Srđan Blagovčanin, izvršni direktor TI BiH.

TIPNG: Potpredsjednik stranke Nacionalne alijanse primio značajnu sumu novca za “konsultanske usluge”

Izvještaji za Medije ● 30 Septembra 2009

Međunarodni dan slobode pristupa informacijama – stanje u BiH poražavajuće

Izvještaji za Medije ● 28 Septembra 2009

Međunarodni dan slobode pristupa informacijama – stanje u BiH poražavajuće

Izvještaji za Medije ● 28 Septembra 2009

28. septembar obilježava se kao Međunarodni dan slobodnog pristupa informacijama. Pravo na dostupnost informacija smatra se jednim od osnovnih ljudskih prava u svim demokratskim zemljama i garantovano je svim relevantnim međunarodnim dokumentima koji garantuju osnovna ljudska prava. U Bosni i Hercegovini su na snazi tri Zakona o slobodi pristupa informacijama (ZoSPI), na državnom i entitetskim nivoima vlasti.

U okviru istržaivanja tokom 2009. godine, TI BiH je uputio 352 zahtjeva za pristup informacijama, sa ciljem dobijanja podataka o broju primljenih, usvojenih i odbijenih zahtjeva za slobodan pristup informacijama u toku 2008. godine. Zahtjevi su upućeni svim opštinama u BiH (ukupno 144) i svim ministarstvima, na kantonalnim, entitetskim i državnim nivoima (ukupno 136), dok su ostali zahtjevu upućivani u okviru redovnog postupanja po primljenim prijavama građana u okviru Centra za pružanje pravne pomoći u borbi protiv korupcije.

Osam godina od usvajnja ovih zakona, ostvarivanje prava na slobodan pristup informacijama i dalje je na nezadovoljavajućem nivou. Generalni nalazi istraživanja pokazuju da je stepen primjene ovog zakona i dalje nizak, manje od 50 % zahtjeva rezultiralo je odgovorom u zakonskom roku i formi. Instiucije još uvijek nemaju odgovarajuće kapacitete za primjenu ovih zakona, pravo na sudsku zaštitu prava na slobodan pristup informacijama je u značajnoj mjeri relativizovano, a uloga ombudsmana u realizaciji prava predviđenih ovim zakonom je marginalizovana. Poseban problem predstavlja pristup informacijama vezanim za proces privatizacije, poslovanje javnih preduzeća, finansijske aspekte poslovanja državnih institucija, gdje je jako često praktično nemoguće dobiti odgovorajuće informacije.

Stanje primjene ovog Zakona je nešto bolje od strane institucija na državnom nivou (73 %), dok je stepen primjene ovog zakona od strane institucija na nivou Federacije BiH 55 %. Primjena zakona od strane institucija vlasti u RS je znatno lošija i iznosi 43%, dok su kantonalne administracije u tom smislu najnetransparentnije sa stepenom primjene zakona od 38%.

Kada su u pitanju opštine, ukupno 53 (36,8%) opštine od 144 koliko ih je obuhvaćeno istraživanjem, su na upućene zahtjeve odgovorile u okviru Zakonom predviđenog roka od 15 dana, i to 29 (20,1%) opština iz Federacije BiH i 24 (16,6%) opštine iz Republike Srpske, iz čega proizilazi da se u 91 (63,1%) jedinici lokalne samouprave ne poštuju odredbe Zakona o rokovima za obrađivanje zahtjeva i razlozima za njihovo produženje. Ove opštine su dostavile informacije tek nakon upućenih urgencija, a protiv 14 opština TI BiH je podnio prijave entitetskim Ombudsmanima zbog ćutanja administracije i kršenja odredbi Zakona o slobodi pristupa informacijama, i to  protiv 8 opština iz Federacije BiH, i 6 opština iz Republike Srpske. U jednom slučaju (opština Ravno), čak ni nakon intervencije Ombudsmana TI BiH nije dobio tražene informacije, te im je Ombudsman FBIH uputio prijavu za kršenje ljudskih prava.

Poražavajući je i podatak da od ukupno 143 primljena odgovora na tražene informacije, samo 8 (5,5%) odgovora zadovoljava Zakonom propisanu formu, koja je u ovom slučaju veoma važna, kako bi građanin mogao koristiti pravo na žalbu ili se upustiti u upravni spor ukoliko je nezadovoljan formom ili sadržinom dostavljene informacije.

Iz 33 (22,9%) opštine, 15 iz F BiH i 18 iz RS, dobijeno je zvanično saopštenje da u toku 2008. godine nisu primile niti jedan zahtjev za pristup informacijama. Međutim, prema evidenciji prošlogodišnjih aktivnosti TI BiH, utvrđeno je da su svim jedinicama lokalne samouprave uključujući i ove 33 jedinice, upućeni zahtjevi za pristup informacijama, te da je od većine opština dobijen i zvanični odgovor. Iz navedenog proizilazi da skoro 1/5 opština ne vodi nikakvu evidenciju o broju primljenih zahtjeva.

Istraživanje je pokazalo da u RS 76% opština ima sopstvenu Web prezentaciju, dok je u F BiH ovaj procenat veći i iznosi 92%. Međutim, većina Web prezentacija jedinica lokalne samouprave nema neophodne elemente koji bi građanima omogućile jednostavnu komunikaciju i pristup informacijama. Podaci su zastarjeli, stranice se neredovno ili skoro nikako ne održavaju, te se građani ne mogu pouzdati u ovaj vid komunikacije sa lokalnim vlastima.

Uporedo sa Istraživanjem primjene ZoSPI, Transparency International BiH je proveo Ispitivanje javnog mnjenja u BiH, čiji rezultati pokazuju da je 49,7% ispitanika upoznato sa postojanjem Zakon o slobodi pristupa informacijama. Velika većina njih (90%) nije se nikada pozvala ili na bilo koji način koristila ovaj Zakon i tražila neke informacije od nadležnih organa. Najveći dio onih koji to jesu učinili (9%) dobili su odgovor (67, 5%).

Institucije koje su u kontinuitetu i sistematski  kršile odredbe ovog zakona su RTRS, Komisija za koncesije RS, Medicinski fakultet BL, Ministarstvo kulture i sporta FBIH. TI BiH će redovno sastavljati tzv. crnu listu institucija koje krše ove zakone i o tome obavještavati nadležne institucije i javnost. 

International Right to Know Day – worrying situation in BiH

Izvještaji za Medije ● 28 Septembra 2009

September 28 is celebrated in many countries as the International Right to Know Day. The right of free access to information is considered as one of fundamental human rights in all democratic countries and is guaranteed by all relevant international documents that guarantee basic human rights. In Bosnia and Herzegovina there are three Freedom of Information Acts (FOIA), on national and entity levels.

Within its research during 2009, TI BiH issued 352 requests for access to information, for the purpose of gathering data on the number of received, accepted and rejected requests for access to information during 2008. Those requests were sent out to all municipalities in BiH (over of 144), and all ministries, on cantonal, entity and national levels (136), while other requests were issued within regular processing of citizens’ complaints within anti-corruption  Advocacy and Legal Advice Centre.

Even eight years since the laws had been adopted, implementation of the right of freedom of access to information is still unsatisfactory. General research findings show that the level of implementation of Freedom of Information Act is still low, where less than 50% of requests resulted with replies that are within the law-binding time limit and form. Institutions still have not got adequate capacities for the implementation of the laws, the right to have judicial protection of the right of free access to information has been relativized considerably, and the Ombudsman’s role in realisation of rights proscribed by FOIA has been marginalized. A particular problem represents the access to information regarding the privatization process, public companies’ businesses, financial aspects of state institutions’ functioning, where most often it is practically impossible to get appropriate information.

The level of FOIA implementation is somewhat better in the case of state level institutions (73%). While the FOIA implementation level in Federation of BiH institutions is 55%. The law implementation by government institutions in RS is considerably worse and amounts to 43%, while cantonal administat5ions are least transparent with the implementation level of 38%.

When it comes to municipalities, overall of 53 (36.8%) municipalities, of 144 that were involved in the research, replied to requests within law-binding time limit of 15 days, where 29 (20.1%) municipalities are in F BiH and 24 (16.6%) in RS, which leads to a conclusion that in 91 (63.1%) local administration units the law provisions regarding the time limits for processing requests have not been followed.  These municipalities delivered the information only after urgencies had been issued, and TI BiH filed complaints against 14 municipalities to entity ombudsmen for administration silence and breaching the FOIA provisions, specifically against 8 municipalities from Federation of BiH, and 6 of them from Republic of Srpska, In one case (municipality Ravno), TI BiH did not receive any reply, even after Ombudsman’s intervention, therefore F BiH Ombudsman filed a report against them for human rights violation.

What is especially worrying is the fact that of 143 replies, only 8 (5.5%) of them satisfied the form proscribed by the law, that is in this case very important so that citizens can use their right to appeal or enter the administrative procedure if they are dissatisfied with the form or the content of information delivered.

From 33 (22.9%) municipalities, 15 from F BiH and 18 from RS, TI BiH received official statements that during 2008 they did not receive any requests for access to information. However, according to TI BiH activity records, it has been established that requests for access to information were sent out to all local administration units, including these 33, and that official replies were received from most of them. What can be concluded from all this, is that almost one fifth of municipalities do not make records on the number of requests received. 

The research also showed that in RS 76% municipalities have their own Web presentation, while in F BiH this percentage is higher and amounts to 92%. However, most of the local administration units’ Web sites do not have necessary elements that would enable citizens to easily communicate and access the information. The information on web sites are out of date, the sites are irregularly or not at all maintained, therefore citizens cannot rely on this form of communication with local authorities

Alongside the FOIA Implementation Research, TI BiH carried out a public opinion survey in BiH, where results showed that 49.7% of citizens are familiar with the existence of Freedom of Information Act. The overwhelming majority (90%) of them have never called upon or used this law in any way and requested information from the authorities. The majority of those who have requested information (9%) did receive an official reply (67.5

Institutions that continually and systematically violated provisions of this law are Radio-Television of Republc of Srpska (RTRS), Medical Faculty of Banja Luka, Ministry of culture and sports of F BiH. TI BiH will regularly comprise so called black list of institution that violate these laws and will inform the authorised institutions and the public about this issue.