520 reports of corruption

The toll-free line launched by TI BiH operating throughout the country received 900 calls in its first month

As a part of its activities, the Centre for Advocacy and Legal Advice in BiH only in February of 2004 through a free telephone line 0800 55555 received over 900 calls of the citizens, of which over 520 relating to corruption. The calls have been arriving from all parts of Bosnia and Herzegovina, of which the majority from Sarajevo (62) Banja Luka (60) and Tuzla (43)" said Darijo Lazic, project manager at the press conference.

Majority of 278 reports were in respect of the operations of the public services at all governance levels in BiH as well as the local governments. Most reports in this group of calls deals with the construction, market and labour inspectorate at the local and the entity level. The reports claim the inspections would not act at the request or would not undertake legal sanctions against business mismanagement, which is seen as a corrupt (in)activity. Even if in some cases no bribes were sought by the officers, the citizens report a high occurrence of bribery. Conflict of interest or a misuse of the public office is reported to have secured illegal extra profit to the officials concerned.

When analysing the institutions where corruption mostly occurs, many complain about the judiciary at all levels - 93 reports in total. These calls have mostly reported slow procedures and inefficiency in how the courts are operated, but also a very alarming instance of the lack of enforcement of the final awards and the awards of the Human Rights Chamber. Present were also complains of the citizens regarding lack of action in the criminal cases where evidence or witnesses exist.

All forms of criminal behaviour were present too. The total of 85 calls handled commercial crime - smuggling of goods, irregularities in the privatisation process and the alleged illegitimate layoffs of employees, contrary to the Labour Law. The Procurement Act or the lack of tender procedures in accordance with it is next in line of frequency. Even when the formal guidelines are being respected, the ultimate tender award would be know well ahead of the bid opening.

Eight persons reported corruption in the international and humanitarian organisation, two against the non-governmental organisations and one against the media. In addition 22 reports dealt with the private sector due to the tax evasion, social obligations evasion and other irregularities in business operations.

In the initial stage of this process, TI BiH formalised co-operation with all the institutions in BiH dealing with corruption. Surprising is the fact that the institution of Ombudsmen was the most difficult one to deal with while many citizens also reported problems in dealing with it. Either would many of them simply receive no reply from the Ombudsmen or the institution discharged corruption as a breach of human rights.

"It is interesting that the citizens mostly decided to talk openly about corruption and to introduce themselves by their full name, which points at their willingness to co-operate and their being fed up with the rate of recurrence of administrative corruption, i.e. the widespread presence of bribery. On one hand, TI BiH is most pleased to note the high degree of popular confidence in its operations, but the long-term goal has to be establishment of the proper institutional addresses where the citizens can turn with full confidence" said Lazic.

TI BiH formally contacts or will get in touch with all the listed institutions with specific queries, seeking an explanation for such malpractices of the public services. Where full documentation and evidence exists, TI BiH will report to the relevant prosecutorial office or police and where applicable also the international agencies, seeking justice for the citizens who have been endangered by corruption. Periodically, the media will also be informed on both - the legal process of the specific cases as well as the operations of the institutions.

TI has been active throughout BiH for over three years and besides a number of analytical projects, the Advocacy and Legal Advice Centre has been run for half a year, through the generous support of the German Government channelled by the Anti-Corruption Initiative of the Stability Pact.

Media Contact:

Darijo Lazic
Tel: + 387 51 216 779, Fax: +387 51 216 928,
Email: dlazic@ti-bih.org

Transparency International BiH
http://www.ti-bih.org