PRESS RELEASES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

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

Press releases ● 05 February 2015

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

The beginning of the cooperation of TI BiH with the Federation of Cities and Municipalities of RS and the Federation of Cities and Municipalities of FBiH on the project “Strengthening the integrity of local governments”

Press releases ● 03 February 2015

Memoranda of Cooperation were signed within the project “Strengthening Integrity in Local Self-Governments (SILG)”, which is financed by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in BiH and which will last for 24 months. The goal of the project is to improve transparency and accountability in the work of local self-government units, and to improve the rule of law by building the capacity of local self-government to combat corruption. The implementation of the project is conceived as a series of trainings for twenty selected municipalities for the development, establishment and implementation of anti-corruption / integrity plans.

“This project is a continuation of TI BiH’s efforts aimed at improving transparency, accountability and integrity at the local level. We believe that this institutionalization of cooperation between TI BiH and the Federation of Cities and Municipalities of RS and the Federation of Cities and Municipalities of FBiH will further strengthen efforts in this direction, “said Lejla Ibranović, Acting Executive Director of TI BiH.

Vesna Travljanin, Director of SOGFBIH, stressed the importance of this project and the act of signing the Memorandum, and stressed the need for projects of this type in our country and strengthening organized inter-entity cooperation on corruption prevention and suppression projects with special emphasis on local self-government. in direct and closest contact with citizens. “We decided to give our contribution and help in selecting municipalities that will be involved in the development, establishment and implementation of anti-corruption plans,” said the Director of SOGFBIH, adding that they expect good cooperation and ultimately good results after the project.

Vesna Travljanin, Director of SOGFBIH, Aco Pantić, Secretary General of SOGRS and Emir Đikić, Chairman of the Board of Directors of TI BiH, signed the Memorandum which marked the beginning of cooperation on the realization of the SILG project. In addition to the signatories of this Memorandum, Fatima Krivosi addressed the gathering as a representative of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in BiH, welcoming today’s act of signing the Memorandum and emphasizing the importance of this project and improving transparency and integrity at the local level.
Press rls – 03 Feb 2015

Gallery:

The group of civil society organizations from RS asks the deputies of the National Assembly of RS and the parliamentary committees to withdraw the Draft Law on Public Order and Peace of RS from the parliamentary procedure

Press releases ● 31 January 2015

We especially emphasize that the deputies who should decide on the adoption of the new Law on Public Order and Peace, and the Government of RS as its proposer have the right to invoke criminal and civil immunity, and thus protect for any procedure performed within their duties in the relevant bodies of the Republika Srpska. If the proposed law is adopted, civil society organizations are asking the RS government to urgently propose the repeal of the Law on Immunity of Republika Srpska, MPs to adopt this proposal and show their voters that they are ready to take responsibility for their actions on social networks.

Extending the definition of public place to social networks, without a clear explanation of what is considered offensive and harassing content and insults (members 7. and 8.), leaves room for different interpretations, which is unacceptable from the point of view of the legal profession.

In addition, the organizations point out that the prison sentences provided for certain violations of public order and peace are unnecessary, and that the proponents do not state that the reason for introducing these sentences is to harmonize the proposed law with the RS Law on Misdemeanors. In addition to fines and imprisonment, the RS Law on Misdemeanors also recognizes warning measures – reprimands and suspended sentences, and they are not provided for any violation of public order and peace in the proposed text.

Also, the offered formulation according to which it becomes punishable to disturb public order and peace through social networks by displaying symbols, images, drawings or texts of obscene, offensive or disturbing content, grossly violates the right to freedom of expression guaranteed by the Constitution and other international conventions.

The Council of Europe’s recommendations, on the other hand, encourage and call on member states to promote freedom of expression on the Internet by enacting laws and practical measures that will “prevent any form of state and private censorship” of the Internet and social networks.

We support efforts to sanction certain content on the Internet and social networks, such as the spread of prostitution and pedophilia, human organ trafficking and the spread of hate speech that encourages xenophobia, homophobia, anti-Semitism, racism and fascism. After all, the RS Government has formed a Committee to Combat Hate Speech on the Internet, and these acts are already regulated by existing regulations in the RS, so it is not clear what the proposer had in mind when he spread the disturbance of public order to social networks. was the motive for this extension of the definition.

Signatories of the announcement:

Transparency International BiH, portal BUKA, Sharp Zero, Helsinki Citizens’ Parliament Banja Luka, BUKA, Youth Center Kvart (Prijedor)

Press release, 31.01.2015. – Transparency International BiH

Documentation Submitted by TI BiH to the RS Banking Agency in the Case of Bobar Bank

Press releases ● 21 January 2015

Transparency International BiH has received from the Banking Agency of RS the temporary management’s Report on the financial condition and future perspective of the Bobar Bank AD Bijeljina, as well as criminal charges against individuals employed in the Bobar Bank, which the Agency submitted to the District Prosecutor’s Office of Biljeljina (see attachment). TI BiH emphasizes that after constant insistence on information and sending a press release this documentation was disclosed. The Agency has not discloused the final Report on the process of appointment of temporary management with an explanation that the Report has not been completed yet, although the liquidation procedure of Bobar Bank AD Bijeljina is in progress.

In the previous period, TI BiH has received the Report on financial condition and future perspective of the Bank for 2012 and 2013 submitted by the RS Banking Agency (see enclosed file).

TI BiH has sent a request for access to information to the RS Banking Agency on all data, facts and findings which would support the claim that certain actions were taken in the case of Bobar Bank. Although, we have been informed that such information does exist, and that certain actions have been taken in this case, the Agency has refused to disclose the information on the pretext of official secret (see attachment). TI BiH has appealed against the impugned decision and will continue to inform public on all undertaken activities in order to inform public on the work of the RS Banking Agency and to gain insight into circumstances in the case of Bobar Bank.
Documentation Submitted by TI BiH to the RS Banking Agency in the Case of Bobar Bank

The RS Banking Agency is hiding information from the public in the Bobar Bank case

Press releases ● 20 January 2015

Banja Luka, 20. January 2015 – Transparency International Bosnia and Herzegovina is conducting research activities to determine what the Banking Agency of Republika Srpska has done to prevent the establishment of an interim administration and the consequent revocation of Bobar banka ad Bijeljina’s operating license.

TI BiH sent a request for access to information to the RS Banking Agency, requesting information on all data, facts and information that the Agency proves that it has previously taken action in the Bobar Bank case. Although we have been informed that such information exists, ie that this case was handled earlier, the Agency refused to provide the information, emphasizing that it is an official secret.

TI BiH also asked the RS Banking Agency to submit a report on the financial condition and prospects of Bobar banka ad Bijeljina, but also a final report on the course of the interim administration procedure and its termination, with an explanation of the measures implemented in the interim administration procedure. The mentioned reports had to be made according to the Law on the Banking Agency, and the liquidation procedure could be proposed only on the basis of the report on the financial condition and perspective of the bank. To date, the disputed reports have not been submitted and presented to the public, although the public claims the right to possess them, because only on the basis of them can the work of the interim administrator be assessed, who is now also the liquidation manager.

Given the damage to the financial system and economy of Republika Srpska, but also to justified suspicions of abuse, as well as widespread mistrust among citizens and users of financial services, the RS Banking Agency is obliged to disclose to the public all measures previously taken. undertaken according to Bobar banka ad Bijeljina. The Law on Freedom of Access to Information of the Republika Srpska has placed a justified public interest above protected values, such as an official secret, and TI BiH believes that in the case of Bobar banka ad Bijeljina the public has the right to know what has been done by ceding all official acts.

Transparency International BiH will continue to insist on the publicity of the work of the RS Banking Agency and its management, but also on determining responsibility in the Bobar Bank case using all available legal means.

Press rls – 20 1 2015 doc

TI BiH requests that the Banking Agency and the Ombudsman for the RS Banking System be announced in the case of Bobar Bank

Press releases ● 12 December 2014

Banja Luka, 12. December 2014 — The blockade of Bobar Bank’s accounts and recent developments in the banking sector have upset financial service users and the general public in Republika Srpska, and Transparency International BiH believes it is not enough to declare stability in the banking sector, as the RS Banking Agency does. Media articles have previously warned about the sudden losses of Bobar Bank, while the interim manager of Bobar Bank, Savo Ševaljević, is a guest on ATV News on December 6, 2014. He said that in the case of Bobar Bank “it was possible to react earlier”, as well as that “there were a lot of problems in the work of the previous management”. This directly indicates the existence of previous irregularities in the operations of Bobar banka ad Bijeljina, and Transparency International BiH requires that the RS Banking Agency and the RS Banking Ombudsman be notified and inform the public about all activities previously undertaken in the Bobar banka case. According to the Law on the RS Banking Agency, the Agency and the Ombudsman for the Banking System are competent to supervise and take appropriate actions in order to prevent irregularities and illegal actions that obviously existed in the business of Bobar Bank. That is why TI BiH sent a request to these institutions for access to information on all actions taken in the past period by the RS Banking Agency and the RS Ombudsman, and relating to Bobar banka ad Bijeljina. It is necessary for the Banking Agency to inform the public, in accordance with the law and regulations, thus justifying the purpose of its existence, because the appointment of interim manager Bobar banka ad Bijeljina created public concern, but also serious doubts about the quality and independence of the Agency. We remind you that the Agency is responsible for its work to the National Assembly of the RS and all citizens of the Republika Srpska. The Banking Agency of the Republika Srpska must prove that it has taken all legally prescribed actions within its supervisory powers. TI BiH also calls on the competent investigative bodies to examine the work of the management and employees of the RS Banking Agency and determine the possible responsibility for the collapse of Bobar Bank.

Press rls – 12 12 2014 doc

Strengthening institutions is key to effectively fighting corruption

Press releases ● 10 December 2014

Sarajevo, 10. December 2014 – The Agency for Prevention of Corruption and Coordination of the Fight against Corruption (APIK), in cooperation with Transparency International Bosnia and Herzegovina (TI BiH), and with the support of the Government of Great Britain, held a Conference on December 9, International Anti-Corruption Day. Yesterday’s Conference emphasized the need to strengthen law enforcement institutions, especially the Agency for Prevention of Corruption and Coordination of the Fight against Corruption (APIK), whose competencies and capacities must be strengthened in order to be able to implement concrete measures in the prevention of corruption. The Deputy Director of the Agency, Dragan Slipac, pointed out that, despite the lack of true will of all segments of society in the fight against corruption, especially political, led to the lack of better results, the Agency managed to impose itself as an unavoidable factor in fighting corruption in BiH. The Agency has started drafting the Anti-Corruption Strategy for the period 2015-2019. The Ambassador of the United Kingdom to BiH, Edward Ferguson, emphasized that the fight against corruption is being talked about more and more in BiH, but that the fight does not correspond to reality and that it is still being discussed. they do not see enough concrete results, because according to the Gallup survey, BiH is the second country in the world according to the perception of corruption in governments. “However, there is still hope, as about 60% of citizens believe they can make a difference, and we hope that new anti-corruption strategies at the state and entity levels will yield results,” said Ambassador Ferguson. Representatives of the EU Delegation to BiH who participated in the Conference further stressed the importance of anti-corruption reforms in the process of European integration, but also the fact that in the previous period BiH has achieved very little in this area. ” This conference officially marks the International Anti-Corruption Day and it is positive that it is taking the initiative, but the key responsibility of the authorities is to enable the smooth operation of the Agency and other law enforcement institutions, with adequate resources and specific competencies, for which Transparency International BiH Emir Đikić, Chairman of the Board of Directors of TI BiH, said that the conference also presented experiences from the region in monitoring compliance with international obligations in the field of anti-corruption reforms, as well as the results of the Agency and other organizations and institutions in the fight against corruption. Conclusion of most speakers However, despite some successes of individual civil society initiatives and institutions, a key obstacle to a more effective fight against corruption in BiH is the lack of commitment and lack of will of the authorities to more aggressive reforms and strengthen the independence of institutions to enforce laws effectively.

Press rls – December 10, 2014

BiH has fallen behind the Corruption Perceptions Index

Press releases ● 03 December 2014

Sarajevo, 3. December 2014 — Transparency International presented the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) for 2014. year, which ranks the countries of the world according to the perceived level of corruption, and this year, on a list of 175 countries, Bosnia and Herzegovina is at 80. place. This is a setback compared to 2013, when BiH was at 72. place. CPI, based on relevant international sources, assigns ratings on a scale from 0 to 100, where 0 represents the highest level of perceived corruption, while 100 represents the lowest level of corruption, so this year BiH found itself in this position based on 39, which is also lower than in the previous year, but also in 2012, when it was 42. BiH 80. the place shares with El Salvador, Mongolia, Morocco and Benin. When it comes to the region, ie the countries of the former Yugoslavia, Slovenia is still in the best position (39th place, with a score of 58), followed by Croatia at 61st. place, with a score of 48, and Macedonia (64th place, with a score of 45), Montenegro (76th place, and a score of 42) and Serbia (78th place with a score of 41). Only Kosovo is behind BiH, at 110. place, with a score of 33. The Corruption Perceptions Index and BiH’s unenviable position on this scale reflect a complete lack of results in the fight against corruption in the previous period, caused not only by the lack of interest of government institutions in anti-corruption reforms, but also by hampering the work of law enforcement institutions. actors of the biggest corruption scandals. Reports from the European Union and relevant international institutions also indicate that not only is there no progress in this area, but BiH is moving in the opposite direction, towards the complete collapse of institutions and their privatization by political elites. Bearing in mind that BiH has been at the bottom of the region for years according to the Corruption Perceptions Index, but also when it comes to reforms in the process of joining the European Union, a complete turnaround is needed in tackling corruption in BiH – through legislative reform, strengthening laws and judiciary, and most importantly, the removal of pressure and control over institutions, in order for BiH to make a significant shift in the CPI scale.

Press rls – 3 12 2014 CPI

TI BiH Presents Corruption Perception Index for 2014

Announcements ● 01 December 2014

Banja Luka, 1^st December 2014 – Transparency International Bosnia and Herzegovina is organizing a press conference to present this years’ Corruption Perception Index (CPI), which TI carries out at global level every year, with the aim of comparing perceived levels of public sector corruption in the countries in the region. CPI of this year included 175 countries, and Bosnia and Herzegovina is one of the listed countries.

CPI is the best known indicator of corruption in the public sector in the world, and it is based on various surveys conducted by the world-renowned organizations and institutions.

Corruption Perception Index will be presented to the media on Wednesday, 3^rd December 2014, at the Hotel Europe in Sarajevo, with the beginning at 11.00 AM.

TI BiH requests from the RS Ministry of the Interior the findings of an expert report on the purchase of deputies

Press releases ● 27 November 2014

Banja Luka, 27. November 2014 — Transparency International of Bosnia and Herzegovina sent a request to the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republika Srpska to submit expert findings and information on who did the expertise on the basis of which it was determined that the video leaked to the public, in which RS Prime Minister Zeljka Cvijanovic allegedly talks about buying MPs in the National Assembly of the RS, mounted.

The public has the right to complete insight into the findings of the expertise, as well as the actions taken to determine whether the recording is credible, bearing in mind that the constitutive session of the NARS showed that two deputies changed their political options, as announced at the recording itself. Due to the fact that the allegations from the video were practically confirmed during the constitution of the majority in the NARS, doubts were cast on the credibility of the findings of the RS MUP, which is why it is necessary to make all information related to this case available.

The RS Ministry of the Interior has a responsibility to the citizens of RS to provide information and expertise due to the seriousness of the allegations made in the video, because they indicate possible corruption at the highest level of government and can have unforeseeable consequences, making the whole concept of democracy meaningless.

TI BiH therefore hopes that the RS Ministry of the Interior will act in accordance with the Law on Freedom of Access to Information and remove doubts in the manner of determining the authenticity of the recording, and prevent a complete collapse of trust in RS institutions and authorities.

Press rls – 27 Nov 2014 doc

Prevent the repeal of the HJPC Rulebook on Conflict of Interest

Press releases ● 25 November 2014

Banja Luka, 25. November 2014 – Transparency International of Bosnia and Herzegovina considers that the proposal to repeal the newly adopted Rulebook on Conflict of Interest of Members of the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council, ie the amendment of Article 4. of this Ordinance, is an attempt to avoid sanctions for conflict of interest through amendments or repeal of the Ordinance, in which, according to media reports, Jovan Čizmović, one of the members of the Council.

Namely, the disputed Article 4. which seeks to change, stipulates that a member of the HJPC who has applied for a judicial office, or whose relative has applied for a position in the judiciary, is obliged to resign at the time of application. According to media reports, it was the son of the proposer of these changes who applied for a position in the judiciary, and in that case Mr. Čizmović was obliged to resign even then. Instead, he uses his position to simply repeal these rules and remain in office, while at the same time being able to influence the decision-making process on appointing his son to one of the positions in the judiciary.

TI BiH calls on the members of the HJPC to reject this proposal and show the elementary level of integrity of the institution itself, and on the other hand, if it turns out that Cizmovic is in conflict of interest, act according to the provisions of the Rulebook, which require his resignation.

A meeting was held on the occasion of the creation of the Open Government Partnership Action Plan

Press releases ● 18 November 2014

In September 2014, Bosnia and Herzegovina became 65. member of the global initiative Partnership for Open Government, which undertook to accept and promote the core values of the Partnership, and cooperation with civil society in planning and defining the national action plan, as well as implementing the activities it provides. Given that the adoption and presentation of the action plan is one of the activities that BiH as a new member of the Partnership must carry out by July 2015, a meeting of representatives of institutions organized so far companies that have been most active in advocacy activities for accession, with the aim of specifying the next steps when it comes to the action planning process. The meeting was also attended by Irena Bojadžievska, State OGP Coordinator for Macedonia and representative of the Ministry of Information Society and Administration of Macedonia, and Saša Šegrt, GONG Project Development Manager from Croatia, who reviewed the action planning procedures in Macedonia and Croatia from the government’s point of view. and civil society. Representatives of the BiH Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the BiH Ministry of Justice and the Public Administration Reform Coordinator’s Office gave brief reviews of the current situation and perspectives of BiH, and challenges for the further process of adopting the action plan. Despite the current limiting circumstances due to the process of forming a new government at all levels, the representatives of the institutions expressed their readiness to take concrete steps soon when it comes to starting the action planning process and close cooperation with civil society. The adoption of the future action plan will cover a wider range of institutions and civil society organizations, and the process itself will be published in a timely manner so that the general public can be involved in identifying major challenges and proposing measures to be included in the action plan. Press rls – 18 11 2014 doc

Ten parties spent 4.5m KM during the campaign on TV and print ads alone

Press releases ● 15 October 2014

Banja Luka, 15. October 2014 — Transparency International of Bosnia and Herzegovina monitored and analyzed the election campaign for the selected 10 political parties, taking into account advertising in electronic and print media. The monitoring results showed that ten political parties spent 3,600,000 KM during the campaign, only on the lease of space in electronic and print media (10 TV stations and 9 print publications). When the amounts set aside for the preparation of advertisements are added to this, the total costs of advertising in these media amount to around 4.5 million KM.

This amount does not include leased terms in the media, such as broadcasts or broadcasts of pre-election rallies, of which there were many, but media houses did not mark these leased terms, which is why the line between advertising and regular TV programs is lost.

When comparing individual parties, the amounts indicate that the Party of Democratic Action (SDA) spent the most on this type of advertising, around 860,700, SNSD, which, when the advertisements of this party and the SNSD-DNS coalition add up, spent almost 870,000, and the Alliance for changes with a cost of about 775,000 KM. There are also the Alliance for a Better Future (SBB) with an estimated cost of advertising in electronic and print media of about 493,000, the Social Democratic Party of BiH (SDP) with about 406,500 KM, DNS with about 350,500, and the Democratic Front with about 220,000 KM. It is interesting that the People’s Party, for the sake of improvement, which was included in the monitoring, did not have advertisements on covered media houses, and that HDZ BiH had only two advertisements.

TI BiH also made a rough estimate of the cost of advertising on billboards, based on the price list of agencies, and reached a rough amount of at least 3,000,000 KM in total for political parties, so the total amount of covered advertising is 7.5 million KM.

It is necessary to mention that not all media houses are included here, as well as all types of advertising. If the costs of election rallies, posters, leaflets, internet advertising, buses, etc. were added up, the estimated costs would be many times higher.

TI BiH also monitored the pre-election rallies of political parties, and the data on advertising and rallies will be compared with the financial reports of political parties, after they are submitted to the Central Election Commission.

Also, TI BiH forwarded to the CEC BiH information on potential violations of the Law on Financing of Political Parties, which includes the use of public resources to promote political parties, and hopes that this information will be taken into account when auditing financial statements of parties.

Press rls – 15 October 2014 doc

Continuation of the collapse of BiH

Press releases ● 10 October 2014

Banja Luka, 10. October 2014 – On the occasion of the publication of the European Union Progress Report on Bosnia and Herzegovina for 2014. Transparency International BiH expects that the Report will serve as a basis for stronger engagement and support of the EU BiH, in order to prevent further collapse of the institutional framework and basic functions of the state. The unequivocal role of the country’s top political leadership in organized criminal activities, absolute party control over all public resources and the complete paralysis of law enforcement institutions seriously threaten to completely destabilize the country and provoke conflicts and riots. Expressions of civil discontent were already seen in February this . Since then, the dissatisfaction of the citizens has further increased due to the complete absence of organized prevention and remediation of the consequences of the floods, which, in addition to material damage, has resulted in the loss of human lives.

Earlier this year, as part of the Structural Dialogue on Judicial Reform, TI BiH launched an initiative to identify key cases of corruption by the EU, which law enforcement agencies must address as a matter of priority, and involving the country’s top officials. Also, in the process of resolving cases, it is necessary to provide additional technical assistance to prosecutors’ offices and law enforcement institutions.

The report published by the European Commission actually confirms that in BiH not only there is no progress in the implementation of reforms, but that in key areas, such as the fight against corruption and public administration, BiH is moving in a completely opposite direction.

The Progress Report reiterates the problem of pressures and political control over the work of the judiciary, as well as inefficiencies in prosecuting major corruption cases and a lack of judicial capacity to prosecute economic, financial and public procurement crimes. Progress in implementing public administration reform and improving its capacity to meet EU requirements was also assessed as very limited, and concerns were expressed about the inefficiency and non-functioning of public administration at all levels of government.

Unfortunately, EU warnings and increasingly negative progress reports have not only not influenced BiH leaders to take responsibility and take more decisive action in bringing BiH closer to the European Union, but leaders have shown a lack of interest in implementing reforms, especially in the fight against corruption and corruption. rule of law. All this leads to the conclusion that EU policies and messages towards BiH must be far clearer and more concrete, in order to change the negative political dynamics in the country.

Press rls – 10/10/2014

TI BiH informed the German investigative bodies regarding the procurement of IDDEEA

Press releases ● 07 October 2014

Banja Luka, 7. October 2014 — Transparency International of Bosnia and Herzegovina sent information to the German investigative bodies regarding the procurement of electronic ID cards and driver’s licenses, the system for creating and personalizing electronic ID cards and contracts concluded in connection with this work by the Agency for Identification Documents, Records and Data Exchange of BiH (IDDEEA). TI BiH forwarded the information to the German investigative bodies, bearing in mind that according to the information from the media reports, as well as the audit report, German capital and legal entities from Germany were included in the whole case.

Based on media articles and the audit report for 2013, it can be concluded that there are grounds for suspicion that these are serious crimes with elements of criminal association, which include the highest authorities and their relatives.

In this case, the Agency in 2012. conducted a procurement procedure related to the delivery and establishment of a system for partial personalization of cards, delivery and upgrade of existing equipment for personalization of cards, as well as delivery of cards and a complete system for personalization of electronic ID cards and system maintenance. The procurement in the total value of about 104,000,000 KM was carried out through a negotiated procedure without publication of a notice. The audit report pointed out a number of irregularities in this procedure, including the selection of a negotiated procedure without additional procurement information, which is prescribed by the BiH Law on Public Procurement. The audit report also determined that the contract for the purchase of forms of ID cards and driver’s licenses agreed on provisions that could have detrimental consequences for the budget of BiH institutions, and that primarily refers to withdrawal of agreed annual quantities, total quantities and advance payment.

Given the possible involvement of high-ranking political officials and the fact that the BiH judiciary is completely inactive and under direct political control, at this time it is unrealistic to expect that this case will be before the BiH investigative bodies. As a signatory to the OECD Convention on the Punishment of Bribery Abroad, Germany has an obligation to investigate such cases, given that in the whole case there is a segment of foreign countries, ie the involvement of German capital and legal entities.

Press rls – 7 10 2014 doc

TI BiH is Organizing a Press Conference on Financing of the Election Campaign

Announcements ● 06 October 2014

Banja Luka, 6^th October 2014 – Transparency International Bosnia and Herzegovina (TI BiH) is organizing a press conference at which the preliminary finding of the monitoring of the election campaign will be presented.

Over the past period, TI BiH has monitored advertising in print and electronic media, election rallies, and conducted the research on budget allocations for political parties.

Also, TI BiH has conducted the research on the use of premises of the public institutions by the political parties, as well as the use of the institutional resources for the purpose of the election campaign.

TI BiH will present all preliminary findings to the media at Wednesday, 8^th October 2014, at the Hotel Europe in Sarajevo, with the beginning at noon.

TI BiH is Organizing a Press Conference on Financing of the Election Campaign