Izvještaji za Medije

Judicial corruption fuels impunity, corrodes rule of law, says new Transparency International report

Izvještaji za Medije ● 24 Maja 2007

“Equal treatment before the law is a pillar of democratic societies. When courts are corrupted by greed or political expediency, the scales of justice are tipped, and ordinary people suffer,” said Huguette Labelle, Chair of Transparency International. “Judicial corruption means the voice of the innocent goes unheard, while the guilty act with impunity.”

The new Global Corruption Report concludes that a corrupt judiciary erodes the international community’s ability to prosecute transnational crime and inhibits access to justice and redress for human rights violations. It undermines economic growth by damaging the trust of the investment community, and impedes efforts to reduce poverty.

When courts are corrupt, ordinary people suffer

Judicial corruption usually falls into two categories: political interference in the judicial process by the legislative or executive branch, and bribery. The importance of an independent judiciary cannot be overemphasised. Everyone loses when justice is corrupted, in particular the poor, who are forced to pay bribes they cannot afford. TI’s latest global survey of attitudes towards corruptionreveals that in more than twenty-five countries, at least one in ten households had to pay a bribe to get access to justice. In a further twenty countries, more than three in ten households reported that bribery was involved in securing access to justice or a “fair” outcome in court. In Albania, Greece, Indonesia, Mexico, Moldova, Morocco, Peru, Taiwan and Venezuela, the figure was even higher.

Petty bribery and political influence in the judiciary erode social cohesion: one system for the rich and another for the poor fractures communities. “If money and influence are the basis of justice, the poor cannot compete,” saidAkere Muna, TI’s Vice Chair and president of the Pan African Lawyers’ Union. “Bribery not only makes justice unaffordable; it ruins the capacity of the justice system to fight against corruption and to serve as a beacon of independence and accountability.”

According to a 2002 survey, 96 percent of respondents in Pakistan who had contact with the lower courts had encountered corrupt practices, while in Russia, an estimated US $210 million in bribes is thought to be spent on law courts annually.

Tipping the scales of justice

Corruption in the judiciary includes any inappropriate influence on the impartiality of judicial proceedings and judgements and can extend to the bribing of judges for favourable decisions, or no decision at all. Judicial corruption includes the misuse of judicial funds and power, such as when a judge hires family members to staff the court or manipulates contracts for court construction and equipment. It can also play out in biased case allocation and in other pre-trial procedures, such as when bribed court clerks “lose” files and evidence. It can influence any trial or court settlement, and the enforcement – or not – of court decisions and sentences.

The Global Corruption Report 2007 finds that despite decades of reforms to protect judicial independence, the pressure to rule in favour of political interests remains intense. Though many judges around the world are indeed acting with integrity, problems remain. Erosion of international standards is evident in countries such as Argentina and Russia, where political powers have increased their influence over the judicial process in recent years.

And for judges who refuse to be compromised, political retaliation can be swift and harsh. Unfair or ineffective procedures to discipline and remove corrupt judges can end up being used instead for the removal of independent judges. In Algeria, judges considered too independent are transferred to remote locations. In Kenya, as part of an anti-corruption campaign that was widely perceived as politically expedient, judges were pressured to step down without being told of the allegations against them.

Failure to appoint judicial officials on merit can lead to the selection of a pliant, corruptible judiciary. “Problematic” judges can be reassigned or have sensitive cases transferred to more pliable judges, a tactic used by former Peruvian president Alberto Fujimori.

Interference from politicians or civil servants can also buy “legal” cover for embezzlement, nepotism, cronyism and illegal political decisions. Such interference can be as blatant as physical threats and intimidation, and as subtle as the manipulation of judicial appointments, salaries and conditions of service.

Bribery, the other dark thread of judicial corruption, can occur throughout the fabric of the judicial process. As 32 country reports in the Global Corruption Report demonstrate, judges may accept bribes to delay or accelerate cases, accept or deny appeals, influence other judges or simply to decide a case in a certain way. Court officials may seek bribes for services that should be free; lawyers may charge additional “fees” to expedite or delay cases, or to direct clients to judges known to take bribes. Factors affecting a judge’s susceptibility include but are not limited to poor salaries. Insecure working conditions, including unfair promotion and transfer processes and a lack of continuous training, make judges and other court personnel vulnerable to bribery.

Opaque court processes that foster bribery can also prevent the media and civil society from monitoring court activity and exposing judicial corruption.

Solutions: independence, openness, adequate resources, accountability

No single solution will effectively tackle these problems. But a menu of solutions offers a holistic approach.

The Global Corruption Report 2007 offers detailed recommendations to promote judicial independence and accountability, encourage individual integrity, more effective enforcement of the law and to safeguard the judiciary against political influence. Judicial and prosecutorial appointments and removals must be transparent, independent of the executive and legislative branches, and based on experience and performance. Journalists must be free to monitor and comment on legal proceedings, reporting reliable information on laws, proposed changes in legislation, court procedures and judgements to the public.

Civil society’s oversight role is imperative. By monitoring and commenting on the selection of judges, judicial codes of conduct and the discipline of judges, how courts handle cases and how judges make decisions, civil society can call attention to systemic weaknesses that facilitate corruption, and put governments on notice that they will be called to account for making good on their anti-corruption commitments.

Transparency International offers detailed recommendations to strengthen judicial independence and fight judicial corruption, including:

Additional recommendations can be found in the Global Corruption Report 2007.

TI’s work in fighting judicial corruption

The Global Corruption Report 2007 also highlights the national level efforts of Transparency International’s chapters to curb judicial corruption.

“Corruption in the judiciary is a central focus of the global anti-corruption effort because of the powerful and corrosive influence a corrupt judiciary can exert on the rule of law and on society as a whole. Success in attacking judicial corruption will boost citizens’ trust and national efforts to achieve transparency and accountability,” said Cobus de Swardt, TI’s Acting Managing Director.

Transparency International’s work in combating corruption in judicial systems is diverse:

• monitoring judges’ court attendance and the quality of their judgements
• helping to screen candidates for judgeships, making appointments transparent and merit-based
• offering free legal advice to corruption’s victims through 16 Advocacy and Legal Advice Centres in 12 countries.

In its work against political interference and bribery in the judiciary, TI draws on many allies within judicial systems who are committed to the common goals of transparency and equal justice under law.

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Singapur, 11. maj 2007. – Singapurski paradoks o transparentnosti -Više ekonomske transparentnosti, mnogo manje političke transparentnosti

Izvještaji za Medije ● 15 Maja 2007

Singapur je veoma otvorena a u isto vrijeme i zatvorena zemlja kada se govori o transparentnosti i problemima koji su vezani za političke probleme, zaključeno je na Lee Kuan Yew (LKY) školi javne politike. Kishore Mahbubani, dekan LKY škole, izjavio je juče na otvaranju dvodnevne konferencije da je geografska pozicija i geopolotička istorija Singapura stvorila razvoj jedinstvenog položaja za napredak u transparentnosti.

Skorašnja debata koja se odnosi na rast plata pokazuje da, zemlja ima visok stepen transparentnosti u pojedinim segmentima, ali ne postoji „zajednički skok“ ka globalnim trendovima veće slobode informacija. „Ja mislim da Singapur nastoji da to i uradi, naročito zbog svoje geopolitičke situacije i naročiti zbog socijalnih ugovora koje Vlada ima sa svojim ljudima“.

Daniel Kaufmann, direktor globalnog programa na Institutu Svjetske Banke, rekao u prenosu video linkom iz Washingtona, da indeks transparentnosti koje je on načinio, nagovještava da Singapur ima u velikoj mjeri ekonomsku transparentnost ali u manjoj mjeri političku. „Singapur je jedan od najuspješniji na svijetu u smislu borbe protiv korupcije, ali ne i u uslovim političke transparentnosti“, izjavio je Daniel Kaufmann.

Garry Rodan, direktor azijskog istraživačkog centra na Murdoch Univerzitetu u Zapadnoj Australiji, je rekao da su Singapore i Malaysia poslednjih godina napravili reforme u područjima koje su zasnovane na ekonomskom obrazloženju, „a ne na političkim ili građanskim pravima“. U Sinagapuru, Temasek Holdings i Vladina Singapurska investiciona korporacija (GIC) prema zakonu ne treba javno objavljivati svoje finansijsko poslovanje, izjavio je Garry Rodan. „Sa stajališta singapurske Vlade, oni imaju svoje razloge zašto nisu spremni da postanu predvodnici u prikazivanje detalja vezanih za trošenje njihovog novca“.

Prema njemu, to postaje „veliki dokaz“ za Temasek Holding kako bi dobrovoljno objavio svoje godišnje izvještaje od 2004.-te godine, iako su oni bili ograničeni za konsolidovani bilans računa i zanemarili su tok između investicionih ulaganja i finasijskih podataka prije 2001. godine.

Postojali su prigovori od ljudi iz finansijskog sektora da… se stvara teška situacija za nezavisnu provjeru prava u pogledu investicijskih dobitaka koje Temaseku omogućava povrat za te investicije“. Profesor Mahbubani je skrenuo pažnju na one koji umanjuju integritet i snagu Vlade Singapura. „U Singapuru nemate apsolutno nikakvih sumnji da je svaki dolar proračunat, ako je jedan dolar izgubljen, osoba će sigurno odgovarati za pronevjeru. To je u stvari Singapurski paradoks. U ekonomskoj dimenziji, mi smo izrazito otvoreni. Ali još nemamo pristup koji Vlada želi u smislu kontrole tekućih informacija. U tom smislu, mi smo veoma različiti od drugih zemalja“.

Pitajući se, da li Singapur treba da razmotri i omogući veći pristup i slobodu informacijama sa strane ekonomske dimenzije, profesor Mahbubani je rekao da nema jasan odgovor. „Ustvari, nisam siguran, zato što zavisi od sveobuhvatne ocjene u kojoj se nalazi Sinagapur. Na ovaj način stvaram sigurnosnu situaciju u Singapuru. Mi smo jedinstveno osjetljiva zemlja. Singapur ustvari ima stvarne tajne o kojima treba da brine“.

Borba protiv korupcije – međunarodna obaveza BiH

Izvještaji za Medije ● 08 Maja 2007

Projekat „Unapređenja društvenog integriteta” koji TI BiH implementira ima za cilj da na osnovu istraživanja i analitičkih studija, kao i najboljih praksi razvijenih zemalja, identifikuje potrebne korekcije zakonskog okvira, poboljšanja u organizaciji, funkcionisanju i međusobnoj saradnji institucija na planu borbe protiv korupcije, kroz program radionica društvenog integriteta. Radionica je prvo okupljanje predstavnika svih institucija koje bi trebalo da predvode borbu protiv korupcije, na analizi postojećih zakonskih i intelektualnih rješenja. BiH zakonski okvir je detaljno analiziran i upoređen sa Konvencijom za borbu protiv korupcije UN i drugim relevantnim međunarodnim standardima, te je utvrđeno da iako su neki segmenti kvalitetno riješeni zakonskim prijedlozima, institucije ih još uvijek nedovoljno stručno provode, a mehanizmi nezavisnog nadzora su nedovoljni. Samim tim, BiH nije u stanju da kvalitetno provodi obaveze koje je preuzela ratifikacijom Konvencije UN.

U ime FOD BiH, Mervan Miraščija je izrazio “spremnost Fonda da pomogne sve aktivnosti državnih organa na izradi sveobuhvatnih, sistemskih i efikasnih planova sa konkretnim mjerama i aktivnostima za smanjivanje korupcije u BiH” i naglasio činjenicu “da su do sada donesene 3 strategije o borbi protiv korupcije u BiH, koje nisu sadržavale konkretne planove akcije primjenjive u cijeloj BiH, koje nisu koordinirane od strane odgovornog javnog tijela, i bez jasno definisanih linija odgovornosti, realistično postavljenih rokova implementacije i mehanizama za monitoring potpuno odvojenih od mehanizama za implementaciju”.

U svom izlaganju, portparol TI BiH Srđan Blagovčanin je naglasio da “nakon ohrabrujuće najave odlučne borbe protiv korupcije novoizabranih vlasti, jasno istaknute i u ekspozeu prilikom preuzimanja dužnosti predsjedavajućeg Vijeća ministara prihvaćenom u Parlamentarnoj skupštini BiH, vlasti u BiH još uvijek nisu preduzele konkretne korake u cilju ispunjenja međunarodnih obaveza preuzetih ratifikacijom značajnih međunarodnih dokumenata i predviđenih strategijom za borbu protiv organizovanog kriminala i korupcije. Neophodno je hitno intenziviranje sistemskih anti-korupcionih aktivnosti u BiH”.

S tim ciljem, TI BiH je pozivao Nikolu Špirića, predsjedavajućeg Savjeta ministara i Beriza Belkića, predsjedavajućeg Parlamentarne skupštine da zajednički iniciraju održavanje sastanka predstavnika svih parlamentarnih partija o problemu korupcije u zemlji i prioritetnim aktivnostima na njenom sprečavanju. Ovakav sastanak bi pokazao u kojoj su mjeri političke partije svjesne problema i da li su spremne odlučno raditi na njegovom što hitnijem rješavanju kroz parnerski odnos sa građanima i civilnim društvom. Inicijalno okupljanje predstavnika parlamentarnih partija značilo bi najavu snažne anti-korupcione kampanje koja bi trebala da se odvija kontinuirano i u koju bi bile uključene sve državne institucije i civilno društvo, a koja bi bila komplementarna sa drugim reformskim procesima u zemlji. Sastanak bi trebao rezultirati zajedničkom izjavom političkih partija o njihovoj spremnosti da na svim nivoima vlasti preduzmu i podrže konkretne mjere. Prijedlog nacrta takve deklaracije izradio je TI BiH i predočio Špiriću i Belkiću.

Odlučna implementacija seta anti-korupcionih mjera bila bi snažna poruka međunarodnoj zajednici i Evropskoj Uniji, da su političke snage u BiH spremne da preuzmu vodstvo i u najtežim reformskim izazovima, stavovi su većine učesnicika rasprave u Sarajevu.

Na radionici su predstavljeni sledeći radovi:

Dokumenti

Znacaj prevencije korupcije i potrebe za unapredenje zakonskog okvira
Zakon o sukobu interesa
Oduzimanje imovine kao temelj borbe protiv organizovanog kriminala
Preporuke za unapredenje zakonskog okvira i funkcionisanja institucija
Uporedna analiza BiH zakonskog okvira sa UNCAC
Unapredenje zakonskog okvira za slobodan pristup infomacijama
Oduzimanje ilegalno stecene imovine
NIS Advanced Conept
Finansiranje politickih partija i izbornih kampanja
Analiza potreba i neophodnih uvjeta za uspostavom posebnog tijela posvecenog borbi protiv korupcije u BiH

Improvement of the National Integrity System

Izvještaji za Medije ● 08 Maja 2007

The project entitled “Improvement of the National Integrity System”, which has been implemented by TI BiH during 2007 with the support of the Open Society Fund BiH, represents a continuation of work that started with the NIS Study project. The project is aimed at identifying, on the basis of surveys and studies as well as best practices from the developed countries, necessary corrections to the existing legal framework and improvements in the organisation, functioning and mutual cooperation of institutions in anticorruption combat, through a social integrity workshop programme. Reaching the widest possible consensus between the representatives of governmental institutions, civil society and expert public through joint work in social integrity workshops should enable the quality of the proposed solutions to contribute to the real progress in curbing corruption, and on the other hand, the involvement of a wider range of actors in the process should create broader support to and simpler implementation of anticorruption measures.

The workshop was aimed at identifying gaps in the current legislation and needs for corrections to the legislative framework and at possible adoption of new laws in accordance with the ratified international documents that are directly or indirectly related to corruption, such as criminal and criminal procedure codes, the Law on Conflict of Interest, Election Law, Law on Political Party Financing, Laws on Freedom of Access to Information, Law on Confiscation of Assets Acquired through Illegal Means, etc.

Based on the prepared analyses, recommendations for the improvement of the legislative framework and the functioning of the institutions were adopted at the workshop. The recommendations include the strengthening of corruption prevention, formation of an anticorruption agency, and changes to the Law on Conflict of Interest of BiH, of the Law on Political Party Financing, and of the Election Law of BiH. The recommendations also emphasise the need for adoption of a special law that would define the confiscation of gain acquired by illegal means in accordance with the best practices in developed countries.

In addition to specific recommendations, the workshop participants also came up with a conclusion that the Council of Ministers of BiH should make concrete steps towards speeding up and/or initiating key reforms that play a vital role in establishment of the rule of law and anticorruption combat such as public administration reform, police reform, continuation of the judicial reform, and development of the national strategy for promotion of foreign investment. These reforms may be carried out within the institutions as well as through an external systematic approach.

The recommendations were sent to all Members of the Parliamentary Assembly of BiH and were specially presented to the Speaker of the Parliamentary Assembly of BiH, on which occasion he expressed his support to the implementation of these recommendations, which are in line with the international obligations of BiH stemming from the ratified international conventions and other documents and also in line with the strategic commitment of the authorities to combating organised crime and corruption.

The plan is to hold meetings and consultations with the representatives of the Council of Ministers following the first round of consultations with the management of the Parliamentary Assembly, since the Council of Ministers adopted the strategic framework for combating organised crime and corruption in 2006. So far, no concrete measures or activities provided for in the said framework have been taken, it remains unclear what institution should be responsible for coordination of the implementation, nor has an independent mechanism for monitoring the implementation been put in place.

Given that this has been the third attempt to establish such a strategy in BiH in the post-war period and that the two previous strategies ended in failure for lack of institutional accountability, quality cooperation as well as genuine political will, an irreversible loss of public trust in the leadership and their anticorruption vision seems to be an imminent danger. At the same time, prompt adoption, implementation and monitoring of the adequate strategic document would make it more difficult for politicians to engage in “shady dealings” through which the ruling elites continue to make illegal gains to the detriment of the public.

Documents

Recommendations for improving the legal framework and functioning of institutions

Press Freedom Declines in Asia, Ex-Soviet Region and Latin America, Study Finds; Warns of Growing Internet Restriction

Izvještaji za Medije ● 03 Maja 2007

The study showed mixed trends in Africa, as well as a continuation of a longer-term pattern of decline in press freedom in Latin America and the former Soviet Union.

Among the most critical setbacks singled out by Freedom House this year were:

· Setbacks in Asia—notably Thailand, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, the Philippines and Fiji—stemming from coups, political upheaval, insurgency or states of emergency;

· Setbacks in Venezuela, Argentina, Brazil and other Latin American countries, in some cases due to state action, in others due to a deteriorating security environment;

· Aggressive efforts by the Russian government to further marginalize independent media voices, punctuated by plans to regulate the internet;

· Stagnation in the Middle East/North Africa region, bringing to a halt several years of modest progress.

Jennifer Windsor, Freedom House’s Executive Director, expressed serious concern at the study’s findings. “Press freedom is like the canary in the coal mine,” she said. “Assaults on the media are inevitably followed by assaults on other democratic institutions. The fact that press freedom is in retreat is a deeply troubling sign that democracy itself will come under further assault in critical parts of the world.”

The report also warned of expanded restriction of the internet. It highlighted China, Vietnam and Iran, which continue to convict and imprison large numbers of journalists and “cyberdissidents,” and indicated that this trend has spread to other countries with restrictive media environments, including Russia, where the administration of President Vladimir Putin has announced plans to establish a mechanism to regulate internet content, as well as several countries in Africa.

The report, released in advance of World Press Freedom Day on May 3, pointed to improvements in several countries. Italy’s rating was raised to Free; it had been the only European Union member state in the Partly Free category. Several countries, notably Nepal, Colombia and Haiti, registered status improvements due largely to greater overall political openness and an improved security environment, Cambodia and the Central African Republic improved due to enhanced legal protections for journalists.

The survey, launched in 1980, assesses the degree of print, broadcast, and internet freedom in every country in the world. It assigns each country a numerical score from 0 to 100 which in turn determines a category rating of Free, Partly Free or Not Free. Ratings are determined by examining three broad categories: the legal environment in which media operate, political influences on reporting and access to information, and economic pressures on content and the dissemination of news. The survey, which analyzes events during the 2006 calendar year, bases its ratings not just on government actions and policies but on the behavior of the press itself in testing boundaries, even in more restrictive environments.

Global Trends

Out of the 195 countries and territories examined, 74 (38 percent) were rated Free, while 58 (30 percent) were rated Partly Free, and 63 (32 percent) were rated Not Free.

In terms of population, 18 percent of the world’s inhabitants live in countries that enjoy a Free press, while 39 percent have a Partly Free press and 43 percent have a Not Free press.

The study also noted a longer-term trend of press freedom decline or stagnation in a number of crucial countries and regions, particularly the Americas and the former Soviet Union. In assessing country trends over the past five years, the survey found that Venezuela had suffered the largest single decline in media independence. Other important countries which registered major declines were Thailand, the Philippines, Russia, Argentina, Ethiopia and Uganda.

“The records of Venezuela and Russia are appalling, all the more so because of those countries’ impact on their regions,” said Karin Karlekar, managing editor of the press freedom survey. “But we are also disturbed by the level of press freedom decline in what we had assumed were established democracies.”

There is a complex series of reasons for the decline of global press freedom, some of which derive from broad political trends, while others are specific to the media environment:

1. Pushback against Democracy: A growing drive to neutralize or eliminate all potential sources of political opposition has materialized in a number of crucial countries, with the press as a principal target.

2. Political Upheaval: Coups and states of emergency brought on by political unrest or civil war have taken place in a growing number of formerly democratic settings, especially in Asia, with a damaging impact on press freedom.

3. Violence Targeting Journalists: The tragic murder of crusading Russian journalist Anna Politkovskaya is but one of the latest examples of what has become a disturbing global trend. The killing and physical harassment of reporters is a particular problem in Latin America, where Mexico has recently replaced Colombia as the most dangerous environment, as well as in South and Southeast Asia, Russia, and Iraq.

4. Legislation Prohibiting Blasphemy, Hate Speech, Insult, and “Endangering National Security”: Governments have increasingly resorted to legal action in efforts to punish the press for critical reports on the political leadership, as well as for “inciting hatred,” commenting on sensitive topics such as religion or ethnicity, or “endangering national security.”

Regional Trends

Americas: In the Americas, 17 countries (48 percent) were rated Free, 16 (46 percent) were rated Partly Free, and 2 (6 percent) were rated Not Free in 2006. Countries of particular concern continue to be Cuba, which has one of the most repressive media environments worldwide, and Venezuela, where the government has further intensified its efforts to control the press.

The region did have some noteworthy positive developments in 2006, as both Haiti and Colombia moved into the Partly Free category. However, these moves were overshadowed by negative trends in a number of countries, including Argentina, Peru, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay and the Dominican Republic. In Mexico, improvements in the legal sphere were outweighed by an appalling level of violence against journalists. Although the United States continues to be one of the better performers in the survey, there were continuing problems in the legal sphere, particularly concerning cases in which legal authorities tried to compel journalists to reveal confidential sources or provide access to research material in the course of criminal investigations.

Asia-Pacific: The Asia-Pacific region as a whole exhibited a relatively high level of freedom, with 16 countries (40 percent) rated Free, 10 (25 percent) rated Partly Free, and 14 (35 percent) rated Not Free. Nevertheless, Asia is home to two of the five worst-rated countries in the world, Burma and North Korea, which have extremely repressive media environments, as well as several other poor performers such as China, Laos and Vietnam, all of which use state or party control of the press as the primary tool to restrict media freedom.

Several bright spots worth noting include Nepal, where wide-ranging political change led to a dramatic opening in the media environment, and Cambodia and Indonesia, which also featured positive movement. Asia saw many negative developments in 2006, however, continuing the downward regional trajectory noted in last year’s survey. Coups and military intervention led to the suspension of legal protections for press freedom and new curbs imposed on media coverage in Fiji and Thailand. Intensified political and civil conflict during the year contributed to declines in Sri Lanka, East Timor and the Philippines. Heightened restrictions on coverage, as well as harassment of media outlets that overstepped official and unofficial boundaries, negatively impacted press freedom in Malaysia, China and Pakistan.

Central and Eastern Europe/Former Soviet Union: For the combined CEE/FSU region, 8 countries (28 percent)—out of a new total of 28 countries, after Montenegro’s independence—remain classified as Free, 10 (36 percent) are rated as Partly Free, and 10 (36 percent) as Not Free. While many countries in Central and Eastern Europe rank firmly in the Free category, the repressive media landscape in the former Soviet Union is illuminated by the fact that 10 of the 12 non-Baltic post-Soviet states are ranked Not Free.

Most trends in the region were negative. Kyrgyzstan saw backsliding in 2006 due to an increase in censorship and attacks against journalists. Russia’s worsening score reflected negative developments in the legal sphere coupled with heightened impunity, epitomized by the lack of prosecutions of increasingly frequent crimes and attacks against journalists.

Middle East and North Africa: The Middle East and North Africa region continued to show the lowest regionwide ratings, with just one country (5 percent) rated Free, two (11 percent) rated Partly Free, and 16 (84 percent) rated Not Free in 2006. Of particular and long-standing concern are Libya, Syria, Tunisia and the Israeli-Occupied Territories/Palestinian Authority, where media freedom remained extremely restricted. The deteriorating security situation in Iraq made it highly dangerous for the media, with several dozen journalists and media workers, mostly Iraqis, killed during the year.

In 2006, improvements noted in the survey over the last several years reversed course, with several countries that had previously shown numerical improvement stagnating or moving in a negative trajectory. Conditions in Saudi Arabia and Iran deteriorated, while media in Egypt, Jordan and Algeria hampered constrained by legal restrictions. The use of legal harassment against independent journalists increased in Morocco, with a highly influential editor forced to leave the country due to the threat of crippling fines in a defamation case.

Sub-Saharan Africa: Overall, 8 countries (17 percent) were rated Free, 19 (39 percent) were rated Partly Free, and 21 (44 percent) remain rated Not Free. In 2006, Cape Verde was upgraded to Free as a result of a decrease in the legal harassment of and attacks on journalists. Changes in the legal sphere contributed to the Central African Republic’s upgrade to Partly Free, and to numerical improvements in Angola, Sierra Leone, and Mozambique.

Meanwhile, conditions in one of the world’s worst performers, Eritrea, deteriorated further to a numerical score of 94 as a result of tightened restrictions for foreign reporters traveling inside the country. Several countries which have registered a significant longer-term negative trend—The Gambia, Ethiopia, and Uganda—continued to move in the wrong direction in 2006.

Western Europe: Western Europe continued to boast the highest level of press freedom worldwide; in 2006, 24 countries (96 percent) were rated Free and one (4 percent) was rated Partly Free. However, increasing threats from far-right and Islamist groups during the year resulted in modest declines for a number of top-performing countries, particularly those in Scandinavia and northern Europe. A dramatic rise in legal harassment was noted in Turkey, where almost 300 journalists and writers were prosecuted for “insulting Turkishness.” However, in a major positive move, Italy was upgraded in 2006 to resume its Free status primarily as a result of media magnate Silvio Berlusconi’s exit as prime minister.

Worst of the Worst

The five worst-rated countries continue to be Burma, Cuba, Libya, North Korea, and Turkmenistan. In these states, which are scattered across the globe, independent media are either nonexistent or barely able to operate, the press acts as a mouthpiece for the ruling regime, and citizens’ access to unbiased information is severely limited. The numerical scores for these five countries have barely changed in relation to the previous year, reflecting a level of extreme repression and stagnation for the media. Rounding out the bottom 10 most repressive media environments are two countries in the former Soviet Union—Belarus and Uzbekistan—and three countries in Africa—Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, and Zimbabwe—where media are heavily restricted.

Freedom House is an independent nongovernmental organization that supports the expansion of freedom in the world.

Nevladina organizacija za promociju građanskih sloboda Freedom House, sa sjedištem u Sjedinjenim Državama, objavila je godišnji izvještaj o stanju slobode medija u svijetu.

Izvještaji za Medije ● 03 Maja 2007

Nevladina organizacija za promociju građanskih sloboda Freedom House, sa sjedištem u Sjedinjenim Državama, objavila je godišnji izvještaj o stanju slobode medija u svijetu.

U godišnjem izvještaju Freedom Housea zaključuje se da je tokom 2006. godine zabilježeno opadanje medijskih sloboda u svijetu, sa posebno zabrinjavajućim trendovima u Aziji, bivšem Sovjetskom Savezu i u Latinskoj Americi. Među prvih deset zemalja na listi Freedom Housea su evropske zemlje, prvo i drugo mjesto dijele Finska i Island. U novom izvještaju Italija je promovisana u zemlju sa slobodnim medijima. Prošle godine bila je jedina zemlja članica Evropske Unije koja je bila rangirana kao djelomično slobodna. Rusija je se kao neslobodna medijska zemlja nalazi na 164. mjestu koje dijeli sa susjednim Azerbejdžanom, a Sjedinjene Države, kao zemlja sa slobodnim medijima, nalaze se na 16. mjestu koje dijele s Njemačkom, Estonijom i Republikom Irskom. Ističe se da je najkritičnija situacija u Aziji, dok su Argentina, Venecuela i Brazil označene kao zemlje gdje je došlo do smanjivanja slobode medija zbog postupaka države i sve lošijih bezbjedonosnih usloa. Na dnu liste po slobodi medija kao neslobodne zemlje nalaze se Burma, Kuba, Libija, Turkmenistan i Sjeverna Koreja.

U ovom izvještaju je obrađeno 195 zemalja svijeta. Bosna i Hercegovina se nalazi, zajedno s Makedonijom i Filipinima, na 98. mjestu, dok Srbija zauzima 84. poziciju. Hrvatska i Crna Gora dijele 80. mjest. Sve četiri države spadaju u red djelomično slobodnih u medijskom smislu, a Hrvatska je napravila određen napredak u odnosu na prošli izvještaj, kada je bila svrstana na 85. mjesto. Slovenija se kao zemlja s potpuno slobodnim medijima nalazi na 39. mjestu, koje dijeli zajedno s Australijom, Austrijom, Francuskom, Mađarskom i Japanom.

U svijetu je prošle godine ubijeno 110 novinara i medijskih radnika, a tokom nekoliko prvih meseci ove godine ubijeno je njih 34, saopštila je Svjetska asocijacije štampe povodom Svjetskog dana slobode medija, aprema podacima Komiteta za zaštitu novinara, 2006. je, zbog svog rada, na kaznu zatvora osuđeno 134 novinara.

Prezentacija studije „Studija sistema nacionalnog integriteta Bosna i Hercegovina 2007“

Izvještaji za Medije ● 02 Maja 2007

Sistem nacionalnog integriteta obuhvata ključne institucije, sektore ili aktivnosti (‘stubove’) koji doprinose integritetu, transparentnosti i odgovornosti u društvu. Svrha studije je da izvrši kvalitativnu procjenu Sistema nacionalnog integriteta u teoriji (zakonski okvir) i praksi (institucionalni kapacitet). U istraživanju je učestvovao veći broj domaćih eksperata, a realizovano je uz finansijsku podršku Fonda Otvoreno društvo i Njemačke Vlade.

Prezentacija nalaza i rezultata istraživanja biće održana 13. februara 2007. g. u Hotelu Holiday Inn sa početkom u 10:30 h. U okviru prezentacije biće predstavljene i naredne aktivnosti vezane za Sistem nacionalnog integriteta, sa ciljem da se kroz promociju nalaza i rezultata Studije, a uz saradnju sa državnim institucijama identifikuju i definišu mjere i aktivnosti za povećanje i osnaživanje kapaciteta institucija za suzbijanje korupcije.

Kao izlagači na prezentaciji će učestvovati NJ.E Michael Georg Schmunk, ambasador Njemačke u BiH i gospodin Dirk Reinermann, direktor Svjetske banke u BiH, koji će govoriti o anti-korupcionim izazovima koji se nalaze pred BiH u narednom periodu.

Dokumenti

Studija sistema nacionalnog integriteta 2007

Berlin, 24. apr 2007.- TI očekuje da će se panel diskusija uspjeti zauzeti za globalno nastojanja ka suzbijanju siromaštva

Izvještaji za Medije ● 24 Aprila 2007

Transparency International (TI) je izrazio velika očekivanja da će Panel diskusija o napretku Afrike (APP), pokrenuta u Berlinu, uspješno ukazati na potrebu veće odgovornosti za data obećanja o razvoju i borbi protiv siromaštva u Africi.

“Diskusija je ispunila svrhu”, izjavila je Huguette Labelle, Predsjedavajuća Odbora direktora Transparency International-a. “Nakon desetljeća inicijative i ideja kako pomoći najočajnijim građanima na svijetu, koji pate od gubitaka, Afrika se suočava sa velikim izazovima za čovječanstvo koji ne smiju dozvoliti sebi da budu dio začaranog kruga korupcije i nemoćnih institucija. Prepoznaje se napredak koji je napravljen, ali APP treba da prati i osigura data obećanja, kao što je i rečeno na samitu G8 u Gleneagles-u 2005. godine.”

Misija APP-a je zadužena za praćenje obaveza članica grupe G8 i Evropske Unije za pomoć Africi, imajući u vidu i zadatke koje uključuju milenijumski razvojni cilj (da se do 2015. prepolovi broj siromašnih). Diskusiju je predvodio Kofi Anan, bivši Sekretar UN, uz finansijsku pomoć Bill Gatesa, Predsjednika Microsofta. Ostali članovi, uključujući Peter Eigena, Bob Geldofa, Graça Machel, Michael Camdessusa, Robert Rubina I Muhammad Yunusa.

Kao osnivač Transparency International-a i Predsjednik Transparency Inicijative za ekstraktivnu industriju, Eigen donosi neuporedive perspective i stručna mišljenja o pitanjima Vlada na panel diskusiju. «Mi smo se sastali da bi podijelili stečena iskustva sa G 8 i Afrikom, u njihovoj dugoročnoj akciji i zajedničkom naporu ka okončanju siromaštva i korupcije, na «crnom» kontinentu koji je blagoslovljen svojim velikim bogatstvom resursima,» kazao je Eigen.

Panel diskusija će donijeti zaključke prve javne rasprave, koji će se, izmedju ostalog, odnositi na dobru upravu, trgovinu, zdravlje i obrazovanje u Afriki. Panel diskusiju će posjetiti premijeri Velike Britanije i Njemačke, Tony Blair i Angela Merkel, u diskusiji o planovima za dalji rad.

Berlin, 24 Apr 2007 – Africa Progress Panel inaugurated in Berlin – TI hopes panel will succeed in holding the global community accountable for promises to end poverty

Izvještaji za Medije ● 24 Aprila 2007

Transparency International has high hopes that the Africa Progress Panel (APP), being launched in Berlin today, will succeed in demanding accountability on promises made on supporting development and fighting poverty in Africa.

“The panel has its work cut out for it,” said Huguette Labelle, Chair of Transparency International. “Even after decades of initiatives and ideas on how to lift the world’s most desperate citizens out of suffering and deprivation, Africa faces staggering human challenges, which cannot afford to be complicated by corruption and weak institutions. We recognise that progress has been made, but the Africa Progress Panel can go a long way to ensuring that promises, such as those made at the G8 Summit at Gleneagles in 2005, are kept.”

The APP’s mission is to monitor commitments made by bodies such as the G8 and the European Union on aid and Africa, with an eye to the imperatives set by the Millennium Development Goals. The panel is chaired by former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and funded by Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates. Its members include Peter Eigen, Bob Geldof, Graça Machel, Michel Camdessus, Robert Rubin and Muhammad Yunus.

As founder of Transparency International and chair of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, Eigen brings unparalleled perspectives and expertise on governance issues to the panel. “We are coming together to bring our collective experience to bear and to support the Group of Eight and Africa in their common, long-term efforts to end poverty and corruption on a continent blessed with so many resources,” Eigen stated.

The panel will make its first public statement today focussing, among other things, on good governance, trade, health and education, in relation to Africa. The panel will also meet with leaders Tony Blair and Angela Merkel in the evening to discuss its future work.

Radionica društvenog integriteta

Izvještaji za Medije ● 23 Aprila 2007

Transparency International Bosne i Hercegovine (TI BiH) uz podršku Fonda Otvoreno društvo Bosne i Hercegovine tokom 2007. godine implementira projekat ”Unapređenje sistema društvenog integriteta”. Koncept „Sistema društvenog integriteta“ razvio je Transparency International u okviru svog opredeljenja za sistemskim i sveobuhvatnim pristupom u suzbijanju korupcije. Krajnji cilj uspostavljanja sistema društvenog integriteta je da se korupcija učini “visokorizičnim” poduhvatom, sa minamlnom mogućnošću da ona ostane neotkrivena.

Polazna osnova za rad na ovom projektu je istraživanje koje TI BiH realizovao tokom prošle godine – Studija Sistema Nacionalnog Integriteta (NIS) BiH 2007. Ključni nalazi istraživanja ukazuju na kontradiktoran i kompleksan zakonski okvir, slabe i ispolitizovane mehanizme i strukture provođenja zakona, birokratski aparat nekoliko puta veći od evropskog prosjeka, uz brojne administrativne procedure, što stvara pogodnu klimu za korupciju velikih razmjera.

Projekat ima za cilj da na osnovu istraživanja i studija, kao i najboljih praksi razvijenih zemalja, identifikuje potrebne korekcije zakonskog okvira, poboljšanja u organizaciji, funkcionisanju i međusobnoj saradnji institucija na planu borbe protiv korupcije, kroz program radionica društvenog integriteta. Postizanje najšireg konsenzusa predstavnika institucija vlasti, civilnog društva i stručne javnosti kroz zajednički rad u okviru radionica društvenog integriteta treba da omogući da kvalitet predloženih rješenja doprinese stvarnom napretku u suzbijanju korupcije, a sa druge strane uključivanje šireg kruga aktera u proces, treba da omogući i širu podršku i jednostavniju implementaciju antikorupcionih mjera.

Prva radionica društvenog integriteta ima za cilj identifikovanje nedostataka sadašnje zakonske regulative i potreba za korekcijama zakonskog okvira, te eventualnog usvajanja novih zakona u skladu sa ratifikovanim međunarodnim dokumentima, a koji se direktno ili indirektno odnose na pitanja korupcije, i to: krivičnih i krivično-procesnih zakona, Zakona o sukobu interesa, Izbornog zakona, Zakon o finansiranju političkih partija, Zakone o slobodi pristupa informacijama, Zakon o oduzimanju ilegalno stečene imovine itd.

Radionica će sastojati od uvodnog dijela u okviru kojeg će biti predstavljena analiza usklađenosti domaćeg zakonodavsta sa UN Konvencijom protiv korupcije (UNCAC) i stanje korupcije u zemlji i dva panela (prvi, uloga prevencije i razmatranje potrebe za izmjenama zakona o sukobu interesa, finansiranja političkih partija i izbornog zakona i drugi, oduzimanje ilegalno stečene imovine i uloga anti-korupcijskih tijela).

Radionica društvenog integriteta će se održati 8.maja 2007. godine u Hotelu Grand u Sarajevu.

Dokumenti

Nacrt dnevnog reda

Transparency International otvara konkurs za nominaciju istaknutih pojedinaca i organizacija u borbi protiv korupcije

Izvještaji za Medije ● 20 Aprila 2007

Nagrada odaje počast pojedincima i organizacijama koji su pokazali izuzetnu odvažnost i izvanrednu upravljačku sposobnost u borbi protiv korupcije. To je izazov za institucije i pojedince koji pokazuju ogromnu snagu.

«Želja nam je priznati i ohrabriti one koji su odabrali težak put u borbi protiv korupcije», izjavio je Sion Asidon, Predsjedavajući komiteta za dodjelu nagrade integriteta 2007. godine. «Bilo to ukazivanje na moguću korupciju ili preovlađivanje korupcije koja je ukorijenjena u kulturu, jasna predanost borbi i ukazivanje na korupciju je teška bitka koja zahtijeva integritet i predanost».

Svake godine TI primi značajan broj nominacija od kandidata koji su riskirali svoje živote za pravdu, transparentnost i integritet. Dobitnici Nagrade Integriteta dolaze iz Azije i Afrike, Evrope, Južne Amerike i Srednjeg Istoka. Uključeni su novinari, tužioci, računovođe, revizori i predstavnici državnih institucija kao i predstavnici civilnog društva. Dodjela Nagrade Integriteta 2007. godine biće predstavljena na Međunarodni dan borbe protiv korupcije, u decembru.

Nagrada Integriteta je pokrenuta 2000. godine, i ima za cilj odavanje velikog priznanja i pružanja podrške onima koji istražuju i razotkrivaju korupciju, često uz veliki lični rizik. Pobjednici su izvor inspiracije jer njihovi postupci imaju odjek i šalju poruku da je korupcija savladiva.

Nagradu Integriteta TI će dodijeliti komitet koji će biti sastavljen o 13 članova koji su već niz godina aktivno uključeni u pokret borbe protiv korupcije. Oni će predstavljati žiri za nagradu u dogovoru i savjetovanju sa Odborom direktora TI. Nominacije se mogu odnositi na pojedince i organizacije i predmet su nezavisnog glasanja po smjernicama komiteta za dodjelu Nagrada Integriteta.

Nominacije za dodjelu Nagrade Integriteta 2007. primaće se do 30. septembra 2007. Kompletan vodič za nominaciju možete preuzeti na :

http://www.transparency.org/news_room/award/integrity_awards/call_for_entries

Global call for 2007 Integrity Award nominations

Izvještaji za Medije ● 20 Aprila 2007

The Awards honour individuals and organisations that have demonstrated exceptional courage and outstanding leadership in fighting corruption. This means challenging institutions and individuals that often wield enormous power.

“We want to recognise and encourage those who have chosen the difficult path of fighting corruption,” said Sion Assidon, Chair of the Integrity Awards Committee. “Whether it’s blowing the whistle or swimming against the current in a culture of graft, speaking out and acting against corruption is an uphill battle that requires integrity and conviction.”

Each year TI receives a substantial number of nominations for candidates who have risked their lives and their livelihoods in the name of justice, transparency and integrity. Winners have come from Asia and Africa, Europe, Latin America and the Middle East. They have included journalists and public prosecutors, accountants, government officials and leaders of civil society. This year’s Awards will be presented in conjunction with International Anti-Corruption Day in December.

ttp://www.transparency.org/news_room/award/integrity_awards/call_for_entries

Transparency International otvara konkurs za nominaciju istaknutih pojedinaca i organizacija u borbi protiv korupcije

Izvještaji za Medije ● 20 Aprila 2007

Nagrada odaje počast pojedincima i organizacijama koji su pokazali izuzetnu odvažnost i izvanrednu upravljačku sposobnost u borbi protiv korupcije. To je izazov za institucije i pojedince koji pokazuju ogromnu snagu.

«Želja nam je priznati i ohrabriti one koji su odabrali težak put u borbi protiv korupcije», izjavio je Sion Asidon, Predsjedavajući komiteta za dodjelu nagrade integriteta 2007. godine. «Bilo to ukazivanje na moguću korupciju ili preovlađivanje korupcije koja je ukorijenjena u kulturu, jasna predanost borbi i ukazivanje na korupciju je teška bitka koja zahtijeva integritet i predanost».

Svake godine TI primi značajan broj nominacija od kandidata koji su riskirali svoje živote za pravdu, transparentnost i integritet. Dobitnici Nagrade Integriteta dolaze iz Azije i Afrike, Evrope, Južne Amerike i Srednjeg Istoka. Uključeni su novinari, tužioci, računovođe, revizori i predstavnici državnih institucija kao i predstavnici civilnog društva. Dodjela Nagrade Integriteta 2007. godine biće predstavljena na Međunarodni dan borbe protiv korupcije, u decembru.

Nagrada Integriteta je pokrenuta 2000. godine, i ima za cilj odavanje velikog priznanja i pružanja podrške onima koji istražuju i razotkrivaju korupciju, često uz veliki lični rizik. Pobjednici su izvor inspiracije jer njihovi postupci imaju odjek i šalju poruku da je korupcija savladiva.

Nagradu Integriteta TI će dodijeliti komitet koji će biti sastavljen o 13 članova koji su već niz godina aktivno uključeni u pokret borbe protiv korupcije. Oni će predstavljati žiri za nagradu u dogovoru i savjetovanju sa Odborom direktora TI. Nominacije se mogu odnositi na pojedince i organizacije i predmet su nezavisnog glasanja po smjernicama komiteta za dodjelu Nagrada Integriteta.

Nominacije za dodjelu Nagrade Integriteta 2007. primaće se do 30. septembra 2007. Kompletan vodič za nominaciju možete preuzeti na :

http://www.transparency.org/news_room/award/integrity_awards/call_for_entries

Bankok, 17. apr 2007. – Svjetska Konferencija o finansijskom kriminalu poziva na kooperaciju javni i privatni sektor

Izvještaji za Medije ● 17 Aprila 2007

Tokom četverodnevne konferencije, u organizaciji Interpola i UNODC-a, službenici iz agencija i predstavnici država članica su raspravljali između ostalog o razvoju novih ideja o zajedničkim mehanizmima za borbu protiv pranja novca, finansiranja terorizma, korupcije i visoko sofisticiranih oblika kriminaliteta.

Interpolov generalni sekretar Ronald K. Noble na svečanom otvaranju istakao važnost da finansijske prevare predstavljaju ozbiljne nacionalne i sigurnosne prijetnje jer obezbjeđuju sredstva trgovcima droge, teroristima, trgovcima ilegelnim oružjem, korumpiranim službenicama i drugima jer im omogućuju razvoj njihovih kriminalnih preduzeća, unapređenje transporta i pristup složenim informatičkim tehnologijama.

Govoreći o korupciji, koja ima neospornu povezanost sa finansijskim kriminalom, Noble je izjavio da se u poslednjih nekoliko godina povećano djelovanje Interpola na ovim područjima te da je u martu odlučeno da se korupcija stavi među prvih šest prioriteta njihovog rada.

Interpol će takođe obezbijediti sredstva za pokretanje prve svjetske „Svjetske antikorupcijske akademije“,čime bi se omogućilo održavanje treninga, edukacija i tehnička pomoć zemljama članicama u borbi protiv korupcije. Akademija bi trebala biti otvorena u 2009.-toj godini.

Unapređenje svjetskog partnerstva protiv finansijskog kriminala zahtijeva tijesnu saradnju između javnog i privatnog sektora kao što su poslovne i finansijske institucije i vlade, jačanje zakona i pravnih agencija, a neophodna je i efikasnija transnacionalna saradnja, izjavila je Akira Fujino, predstavnica UNODC regionalnog centra za Istočnu Aziju i Pacifik, osnovanom u Bankoku.

Međunarodne organizacije kao što je UNODC su spremne da koriste zakonske alate, kao što je UN Konvencija protiv korupcije i transnacionalnog organizovanog kriminala, kako bi se pružila podrška državama u jačanju njihovih domaćih mehanizama protiv pranja novca, borbe protiv korupcije i podrška uspostavljanju finansijski inteligentnih osoba (FIUs) i međunarodne saradnje kroz Egmont Group.

Bangkok, 17 Apr 2007 – Global Financial Crime Congress calls for synergies between public, private sectors

Izvještaji za Medije ● 17 Aprila 2007

At the four-day event, the fourth of its kind and the first one co-organized by the Interpol and the UNODC, officials of the agencies and delegates from member countries are to discuss progress and new ideas on collaborative mechanisms to fight against money laundering, terrorism financing, corruption and high- tech crimes, among others.

Interpol Secretary General Ronald K. Noble at the opening ceremony stressed that financial crime poses a serious national and security threat and provides the fuel for drug dealers, terrorists, illegal arms dealers, corrupt officials and others to operate and expand their criminal enterprises, while advances in transportation, information technologies have facilitated more sophisticated ones.

Talking about corruption, which has indisputable interrelation with financial crime, Noble said the Interpol has been increasingly active in this crime area in recent years and has in this March decided to add corruption as one of its sixth priority crime area of its work.

The Interpol is also raising fund to establish the world's first “Global Anti-corruption Academy,” which aims to provide training, education and technical assistance to member countries on combating corruption, and hopefully could be launched in 2009.

Building up a global partnership against financial crime requires synergies between public and private sectors such as business and financial institutions, governments, law enforcement and justice agencies, and effective transnational cooperation is also needed, said Akira Fujino, representative of the UNODC Regional Center for East Asia and the Pacific, based in Bangkok.

International organizations like the UNODC are ready to use legal tools, as the United Nations Conventions against Corruption and Transnational Organized Crime, to provides assistance to help states strengthen their domestic anti-money laundering and anti- corruption mechanisms, and to support the establishment of financial intelligence units (FIU), and international cooperation among FIUs through the Egmont Group.

Xinhua General News Service

Berlin, 17 April 2007 – World Bank anti-corruption strategy must be priority, says Transparency International

Izvještaji za Medije ● 17 Aprila 2007

Since its establishment in 1993, Transparency International has campaigned to convince the leadership of the World Bank that it has a critical role to play in curbing corruption in order to reduce poverty, human rights abuses and undemocratic forms of government around the world.

In recent years, the Bank has committed to combat corruption in its operations and internally. Transparency International is deeply concerned that the current controversy could negatively affect the Bank's wider anti-corruption efforts, in particular the Governance and Anti-corruption Strategy. Implementation of the strategy should remain a top institutional priority to ensure that funds are used for the purposes intended and best fulfill the Bank's poverty reduction mandate.

The World Bank's credibility and leadership depend on the Board of Directors, including the Ethics Committee, the President and staff upholding the highest standards of integrity and accountability. Like all organisations, the Bank must have systems and rules in place to ensure adherence to these standards.
These rules must be vigorously enforced. Clearly in this case, serious errors of judgment and a breakdown in the system for handling conflicts of interest have occurred.

Transparent and swift resolution of this situation is crucial. At stake is the ability of the World Bank to meet its vital responsibility to reduce poverty.
TI is committed to achieving a swift, firm and decisive resolution to this matter.