Step backward in fight against corruption

Banja Luka, October 13, 2011 – This results in failure to implement laws and inefficiency of the judici- ary in the prosecution of corruption, said the Transparency International. The European Commission published the Report on BiH’s Progress for 2011, which as in previous years highlights the lack of progress in combating corruption in BiH.

As the main obstacle to BiH’s progress in the fight against corruption the Report singles out the insufficient enforcement of the legal framework in this department, and the fact that the laws aimed at fighting corruption are not harmonized at different levels of government. The Commission particularly emphasized the delays in the implementation of Strategy for combating corruption and the establishment of the Anticorruption Agency stated the problem of institutions’ lack of knowledge about the Strategy, which was also confirmed by he results of research conducted by TI BiH. As in the previous period, the Progress Report highlights the inefficiency of the judiciary, resulting in a large number of pending cases, and especially the lack of prosecution of major cases of corruption in courts and prosecutors’ offices,

TI BiH state. Prosecution of corruption is most focused on cases of corruption at lower levels,

While the cases at higher levels end with acquittal or conditional sentences.

On other hand, the Report also expresses  at the increasing pressures on courts and prosecutor’s offices by the political actors and holders of authorities.

TI BiH recommendations regarding the financing of political parties were also confirmed, since the Report as well states the necessity of more clearly defined regulations and stricter penalties for noncompliance with the Law on Financing of Political Parties.

Foundation of all these problems lies in the lack of political will to combat corruption, as demonstrated through disrespect of the recommendations made by Ombudsmen and Audit Office, as well as stalling of reforms in public administration and judiciary. In conclusion, the European Commission highlights the presence of corruption in all segments of BiH society and the fact that BiH is still at the beginning of the fight against corruption. What is disheartening is that all the above findings repeat from year to year in the Progress Report, and the authorities in BiH are practically ignoring them. On the other hand, the progress made last year in terms of adoption of the Strategy for Combating Corruption and the Law on the Agency for the fight against corruption was canceled due to the failure in applying it.

It is clear that if we do not take specific actions in prosecuting the worst forms of political corruption, there is great danger that it could come to a complete collapse of the legal system and institutional framework, reads the statement of Transparency International. TI BiH appealed to the European Commissionto begin applying more specific measures against political leaders who are an obstacle to reforms, as well as political leaders for whom there are indications that they are involved in corrupt activities on a large-scale, such as refusal of communication with the EU, travel ban and freezing of assets. “TI BiH also calls upon the European Commission to send a clear message to political leaders that fight against corruption must be a priority and that those who obstruct the fight against corruption can not be partners of the European

Union,” said Executive Director of TI BiH Srdjan Blagovcanin amid publication of the Report on Progress. According to him, all this suggests that  2011 was irretrievably lost in the process. Of government formation and interparty conflicts, returning BiH a step back on The path towards the European Union. While countries in the region show Constant progress in implementing reforms in the way of European integration, which is confirmed by the Commission for recommendation to grant Serbia a candidate status and approving the start of negotiations with Montenegro, BiH is facing certain isolation and further deepening of the crisis, which could consequently threaten the overall stability of the country.