Prevention of Corruption in the Public Sector in Eastern Europe and Central Asia

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Prevention of Corruption in the Public Sector in Eastern Europe and Central Asia OECD Anti-Corruption Network for Eastern Europe and Central Asia Prevention of Corruption in the Public Sector in Eastern Europe and Central Asia OECD Anti-Corruption Network for Eastern Europe and Central Asia Prevention of Corruption in the Public Sector in Eastern Europe and Central Asia About the OECD The OECD is a forum in which governments compare and exchange policy experiences, identify good practices in light of emerging challenges, and promote decisions and recommendations to produce better policies for better lives. The OECD’s mission is to promote policies that improve economic and social well-being of people around the world. Find out more at www.oecd.org. About the Anti-Corruption Network for Eastern Europe and Central Asia Established in 1998, the main objective of the Anti-Corruption Network for Eastern Europe and Central Asia (ACN) is to support its member countries in their efforts to prevent and fight corruption. It provides a regional forum for the promotion of anti-corruption activities, the exchange of information, elaboration of best practices and donor coordination via regional meetings and seminars, peer-learning programmes, and thematic projects. ACN also serves as the home for the Istanbul Anti-Corruption Action Plan. Find out more at www.oecd.org/corruption/acn. This work is published under the responsibility of the Secretary-General of the OECD. The opinions expressed and arguments employed herein do not necessarily reflect the official views of OECD member countries. This document and any map included herein are without prejudice to the status of or sovereignty over any territory, to the delimitation of international frontiers and boundaries and to the name of any territory, city or area. © OECD 2015 Foreword This cross-country report on prevention of public sector corruption analyses the preventive measures that have proven to be effective and successful in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. The review focuses on twenty-one countries in Eastern Europe and Central Asia and includes examples from OECD countries. The report is based on questionnaires that were completed by governments, NGOs and international partners in participating countries. In addition, good practice examples presented during expert seminars in 2013 and 2014, contributions by the Advisory Group and additional research also feature in the report. The majority of the report was prepared in 2014. The purpose of this review is to highlight national practices that may be of wider interest. It serves as a valuable reference point for policy reforms and reviews in this region. The report is prepared as part of the OECD Anti-Corruption Network for Eastern Europe and Central Asia Work Programme for 2013–2015. It is one of three cross- country studies within the programme: prevention of corruption in the public sector, law enforcement and criminalisation of corruption, and business integrity. PREVENTION OF CORRUPTION IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR IN EASTERN EUROPE AND CENTRAL ASIA 3 Table of contents Introduction ............................................................................................................................................ 9 Part I. International standards and approaches to the prevention of corruption Chapter 1. Approaches to the prevention of corruption ..................................................................... 15 Chapter 2. Frameworks of corruption prevention policies ................................................................. 21 Chapter 3. Inventory of reviewed prevention measures ..................................................................... 25 Part II. Successful preventive measures taken in Eastern Europe and Central Asia Chapter 4. Using research on corruption in anti-corruption policy making ....................................... 37 Chapter 5. Anti-corruption assessments of legal acts ......................................................................... 41 Chapter 6. Corruption risk assessment in public institutions ............................................................. 49 Chapter 7. Internal anti-corruption / integrity plans in public institutions ......................................... 55 Chapter 8. Measuring, assessing and monitoring implementation of anti-corruption measures ........ 59 Chapter 9. Effective and innovative engagement of civil society organizations ................................ 65 Chapter 10. Anti-corruption and ethics training and education ............................................................ 69 Chapter 11. Awareness raising campaigns ........................................................................................... 73 Chapter 12. Innovative approaches and measures to prevent conflicts of interest ............................... 77 Chapter 13. Responsibility for and expertise in corruption prevention within public institutions ....... 81 Chapter 14. Approaches to anti-corruption coordination ..................................................................... 85 Chapter 15. Prevention of corruption in management of public finances ............................................ 89 Chapter 16. The preventing role of state audit institutions ................................................................... 93 Chapter 17. Electronic services, simplification and unification of public services .............................. 95 Chapter 18. Access to information as a tool for preventing corruption .............................................. 101 Chapter 19. Tools for reporting corruption, whistleblower protection and rewards .......................... 105 Part III. Trends and recommendations Chapter 20. Trends in prevention of corruption in Eastern Europe and Central Asia ........................ 111 Chapter 21. Regional policy recommendations .................................................................................. 115 Notes .................................................................................................................................................... 118 PREVENTION OF CORRUPTION IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR IN EASTERN EUROPE AND CENTRAL ASIA 5 Boxes Box 1. UNCAC: Preventive functions as reflected in the United Nations Convention against Corruption ............................................................................................................. 16 Box 2. Finland: Underlying principles for the good reputation of the Finnish public administration ......................................................................................................... 17 Box 3. Slovenia: Main characteristics of an integrity plan ........................................................... 27 Box 4. Estonia: Survey results used as indicators in anti-corruption strategy .............................. 38 Box 5. Serbia: Assessing integrity plans based on the experience of service users - health care, local self-government and judicial system ......................... 39 Box 6. Moldova: Comprehensive anti-corruption assessment of legislation practiced since 2006 .......................................................................................................................... 42 Box 7. Armenia: Regulatory guillotine ......................................................................................... 44 Box 8. Lithuania: Assessment of anti-corruption risks in sectors by anti-corruption body .......... 47 Box 9. Lithuania: Examples of results of corruption risk analysis in 2012 .................................. 51 Box 10. Kazakhstan: Risk Analysis in the Ministry of Emergency Situations ............................... 53 Box 11. Slovenia: Implementation of the integrity plans ............................................................... 56 Box 12. Latvia: Management of corruption risks in the Road Traffic Safety Directorate .............. 57 Box 13. Romania: Thematic evaluation missions in public institutions ......................................... 59 Box 14. FYROM: Monitoring implementation of the State Anti-Corruption Programme ............. 60 Box 15. Georgia: Monitoring and evaluation Methodology ........................................................... 63 Box 16. Bulgaria, Latvia: Civil society monitoring of candidates for public posts ........................ 66 Box 17. Estonia: Public service ethics training ............................................................................... 71 Box 18. Measuring the impact of awareness-raising activities ....................................................... 75 Box 19. Slovenia: Cross-checking databases to control incompatibilities...................................... 79 Box 20. The United States: Designated agency ethics officials...................................................... 82 Box 21. Georgia: Anti-Corruption Coordination Council .............................................................. 86 Box 22. Albania, Estonia, Turkey: Developing anti-corruption networks...................................... 87 Box 23. Estonia: Open data on local budgets ................................................................................. 89 Box 24. Georgia: State Audit Office contributes to uncovering corruption ................................... 93 Box 25. Successful e-procurement solutions: Examples from an EU study ................................... 97 Box 26. Azerbaijan, Georgia: Public service halls ......................................................................... 99 Box 27. Georgia: Mandatory proactive online publication ..........................................................
Recommended publications
  • Governance and Corruption in Public Health Care Systems by Maureen Lewis
    Working Paper Number 78 January 2006 Governance and Corruption in Public Health Care Systems By Maureen Lewis Abstract What factors affect health care delivery in the developing world? Anecdotal evidence of lives cut tragically short and the loss of productivity due to avoidable diseases is an area of salient concern in global health and international development. This working paper looks at factual evidence to describe the main challenges facing health care delivery in developing countries, including absenteeism, corruption, informal payments, and mismanagement. The author concludes that good governance is important in ensuring effective health care delivery, and that returns to investments in health are low where governance issues are not addressed. The Center for Global Development is an independent think tank that works to reduce global poverty and inequality through rigorous research and active engagement with the policy community. This Working Paper was made possible in part by funding from the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation. Use and dissemination of this Working Paper is encouraged, however reproduced copies may not be used for commercial purposes. Further usage is permitted under the terms of the Creative Commons License. The views expressed in this paper are those of the author and should not be attributed to the directors or funders of the Center for Global Development. www.cgdev.org 1 Governance and Corruption in Public Health Care Systems Maureen Lewis* Senior Fellow Center for Global Development January 2006 * I am grateful to William Savedoff for extensive peer review comments and suggestions, and to James Habyarimana, John Hicklin, Randi Ryterman, Julian Schweitzer, Peter Heller and Adam Wagstaff for helpful comments on earlier drafts.
    [Show full text]
  • Latvia Towards Europe: Internal Security Issues
    North Atlantic Treaty Organization Andris Runcis LATVIA TOWARDS EUROPE: INTERNAL SECURITY ISSUES Final Report The preparation of this Report was made possible through a NATO Award. Rîga, 1999 1 Content Introduction 3 1. The basic aspects of a country’s security 5 2. Latvia’s security concept 8 3. Corruption 10 4. Unemployment 17 5. Non-governmental organizations 19 6. The Latvian banking system and its crisis 27 7. Citizenship issue 32 Conclusion 46 Appendix 48 2 Introduction The security of small countries has been a difficult problem since ancient times. Now, when the Cold War has ended and Europe has moved from a bipolar to a multipolar system, when the communist system in Eastern Europe has collapsed and the Soviet empire has disintegrated – processes which have led to the appearance of a series of new and mostly small countries in Europe – we are witnessing a renaissance of small countries in the international arena. Since regaining independence Latvia’s general foreign policy orientation has been associated with integration into European economic, political and military structures where full membership in the European Union (EU) is the cornerstone. The issue has been one of the most consolidated and undisputed on the country’s political agenda. Latvian politicians have stressed the country’s wish to become a member state of the European Union. On October 14, 1995, all political parties represented in the Parliament supported the State President’s proposed Declaration on the Policy of Latvian Integration in the European Union. On October 27, Latvia submitted its application for membership to the EU.
    [Show full text]
  • Annual Report
    2011 Annual Report Transparency International Latvia CONTENTS KEY ACHIEVEMENTS OF 2011 ...................................................................................................................................... 3 1. MAKING POLITICANS AND VOTERS MORE RESPONSIBLE ........................................................................................ 3 MOBILIZING SOCIETY FOR THE SUPPORT OF RULE OF LAW AND THE ANTI-CORRUPTION AGENCY ............................................................ 3 THE NEW PRESIDENT AGREES – AWAY WITH OLIGARCHS’ POWER ................................................................................................... 4 REFRESHING VOTERS’MEMORY BEFORE ELECTIONS ..................................................................................................................... 4 WWW.DEPUTATIUZDELNAS.LV – WATCHDOGGING THE PARLIAMENT AFTER ELECTIONS ...................................................................... 5 2. GUARDING KEY ELEMENTS OF THE NATIONAL INTEGRITY SYSTEM ......................................................................... 5 RIDDING KNAB OF IT’S DESTRUCTIVE CHIEF .............................................................................................................................. 5 IMPROVING AND TESTING KNAB CHIEF SELECTION PROCEDURE ..................................................................................................... 6 LOOKING FOR THE BEST OMBUDSPERSON .................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Rethinking Corruption in an Age of Ambiguity
    LS08CH23-Wedel ARI 9 October 2012 7:56 Rethinking Corruption in an Age of Ambiguity Janine R. Wedel School of Public Policy, George Mason University, Arlington, Virginia 22201; email: [email protected] Annu. Rev. Law Soc. Sci. 2012. 8:453–98 Keywords The Annual Review of Law and Social Science is corruption, anticorruption, shadow elite, shadow lobbyist, online at lawsocsci.annualreviews.org accountability, transparency, state, governance, bureaucracy, social This article’s doi: networks, Cold War, post–Cold War 10.1146/annurev.lawsocsci.093008.131558 by 98.218.217.104 on 02/26/13. For personal use only. Copyright c 2012 by Annual Reviews. Abstract All rights reserved The central premise of the article is that the assumptions and approaches 1550-3585/12/1201-0453$20.00 of the “anticorruption industry” that debuted in the 1990s framed the issue of corruption and substantially shaped scholarly inquiry on the Annu. Rev. Law. Soc. Sci. 2012.8:453-498. Downloaded from www.annualreviews.org subject. These assumptions and approaches also limited the ability to see other forms and patterns of corruption on the horizon. This article (a) critically reviews prevailing assumptions and approaches to the study of corruption during and especially after the Cold War, (b) examines the impact of economic frameworks and the anticorruption industry on post–Cold War scholarship, (c) explores contemporary forms of po- tential corruption, (d ) argues that prevailing approaches to corruption may make it more difficult to see contemporary forms of the age-old phenomenon and are ill-equipped to study them, (e) considers how cor- ruption might be reconceptualized to encompass the new forms, and ( f ) argues for a reintegration of ethics and accountability.
    [Show full text]
  • The Political Economy of Corruption
    The Political Economy of Corruption ‘Grand’ corruption, generally used to define corruption amongst the top polit- ical elite, has drawn increasing attention from academics and policy-makers during recent years. Current understanding of the causes and mechanisms of this type of corruption, however, falls short of a full awareness of its importance and consequences. In this volume, leading academics and practitioners analyse the economic and political conditions that allow ‘grand’ corruption to survive. Contributions include: • Case studies of countries that have witnessed flagrant misuse of political powers. • Theoretical papers which present models of corruption and project their possible effects. • Empirical studies which raise research questions and test the theoretical models using insightful methodologies. The studies in this work not only indicate the importance of the economic implications of ‘grand’ corruption, but also provide a framework for under- standing its processes. Academics and policy-makers working in the fields of economics, political science and sociology will find this an illuminating and valuable work. Arvind K. Jain is Associate Professor at Concordia University, Montreal. His current research focuses on corruption and on international financial crises. His past research papers have dealt with corruption, agency theory and the debt crisis, capital flight, international lending decisions of banks, oligopolistic behaviour in banking, foreign debt and foreign trade in devel- oping countries, impact of culture on saving behaviour and commodity futures markets. He has previously written two books and edited a volume entitled Economics of Corruption. Routledge Contemporary Economic Policy Issues Series editor: Kanhaya Gupta This series is dedicated to new works that focus directly on contemporary economic policy issues.
    [Show full text]
  • September 2000 Public Disclosure Authorized
    20925 September 2000 Public Disclosure Authorized ANTICORRUPTION IN Public Disclosure Authorized RANSITION A Contribution to the Policy Debate Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized A W 0 R L D F R EE 0 F P 0 V E R T Y I Anticorruption in Transition A Contribution to the Policy Debate The World Bank Washington, D.C. Copyright © 2000 THE WORLDBANK 1818 H Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20433, USA All rights reserved Manufactured in the United States of America First printing September 2000 1 2 3 4 03 02 01 00 The opinions expressed in this report do not necessarily represent the views of the World Bank or its member governments. The World Bank does not guarantee the accuracy of the data included in this publication and accepts no responsibility whatsoever for any consequence of their use. The material in this publication is copyrighted. Requests for permission to reproduce portions of it should be sent to the Office of the Publisher at the address shown in the copyright notice above. The World Bank encourages dissemination of its work and will normally give permission promptly and, when the reproduction is for noncommercial purposes, without asking a fee. Permission to copy portions for classroom use is granted through the Copyright Clearance Center, Inc., Suite 910, 222 Rosewood Drive, Danvers, Massachusetts 01923, USA. ISBN 0-8213-4802-7 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data hasbeen appliedfor. TABLE OF CONTENTS Foreword........................................................................ vii Acknowledgments ........................................................................ ix Abbreviations ........................................................................ xi Executive Summary ........................................................................ xiii Chapter 1 The Level and Pattern of Corruption in the Transition Countries...............................
    [Show full text]
  • Latvia's Experience in Preparation and Implementation of Anti-Corruption
    Latvia’s experience in preparation and implementation of anti-corruption strategy Liga Stafecka Transparency International Latvia [email protected] 17.03.2008 Warsaw Main criteria for good anticorruption program: 1. Do the measures of the anticorruption program reflect the main corruption manifestations in the society? 2. Do the measures solve the causes of the corruption? 3. Is it possible to measure the effectiveness of the implementation of the program? 4. Is there political will to implement anticorruption strategy? Anticorruption policy development - 1997 – Corruption Prevention Council Created (World Bank influence); - 1998 – Corruption Prevention program adopted (three- pronged strategy of prevention, enforcement and education); - 2000 – Corruption Prevention Conception adopted; - 2002 – Law on Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau; - 2004 - National Strategy/Program for Corruption Prevention and Combating 2004-2008 Corruption Prevention program 1998 - Three-pronged strategy. The First edition with indistinct tasks, no responsible institutions, no clear time limits. - Monitoring of the implementation by TI Latvia(2000/2001): - Suspicion that the approach “what can not be undone rather than what needs to be done”. - Missing coordination of the implementation; - Missing responsible persons for the implementation; - Already accomplished measures included in the Program; - Too generally formulated tasks – impossible to control the implementation; - Lack of awareness of the public officials in anticorruption field; - Corruption
    [Show full text]
  • The Far Right in Slovenia
    MASARYK UNIVERSITY FACULTY OF SOCIAL STUDIES DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE The Far Right in Slovenia Master‟s thesis Bc. Lucie Chládková Supervisor: doc. JUDr. PhDr. Miroslav Mareš, Ph.D. UČO: 333105 Field of Study: Security and Strategic Studies Matriculation Year: 2012 Brno 2014 Declaration of authorship of the thesis Hereby I confirm that this master‟s thesis “The Far Right in Slovenia” is an outcome of my own elaboration and work and I used only sources here mentioned. Brno, 10 May 2014 ……………………………………… Lucie Chládková 2 Acknowledgments I would like to express my gratitude to doc. JUDr. PhDr. Miroslav Mareš, Ph.D., who supervised this thesis and contributed with a lot of valuable remarks and advice. I would like to also thank to all respondents from interviews for their help and information they shared with me. 3 Annotation This master‟s thesis deals with the far right in Slovenia after 1991 until today. The main aim of this case study is the description and analysis of far-right political parties, informal and formal organisations and subcultures. Special emphasis is put on the organisational structure of the far-right scene and on the ideological affiliation of individual far-right organisations. Keywords far right, Slovenia, political party, organisation, ideology, nationalism, extremism, Blood and Honour, patriotic, neo-Nazi, populism. 4 Contents 1. Introduction ............................................................................................................................ 7 2. Methodology .........................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Prosecution of Corruption”
    ACN Anti-Corruption Network for Eastern Europe and Central National Anticorruption Directorate, Asia Romania OECD Anti-Corruption Network for Eastern Europe and Central Asia EXPERT SEMINAR “EFFECTIVE MEANS OF INVESTIGATION AND PROSECUTION OF CORRUPTION” Held in Bucharest, Romania on 20 – 22 October 2010 Hosted by the National Anti-Corruption Directorate of Romania PROCEEDINGS OF THE SEMINAR These proceedings were prepared by the Secretariat of the Anti-Corruption Network for Eastern Europe and Central Asia (ACN) at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). The OECD does not guarantee the accuracy of data included in the presentations and accept no responsibility for any consequences of their use. This document is available for download from the ACN Web site at www.oecd.org/corruption/acn Participants in the expert seminar “Effective Means of Investigation and Prosecution of Corruption”, 20 – 22 October 2010, Bucharest, Romania 2 Table of Contents INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................................. 5 SUMMARY OF DISCUSSIONS ............................................................................................................... 7 TOPIC 1 EFFECTIVE MEANS TO DETECT AND INVESTIGATE CORRUPTION CRIMES .......................... 12 MEANS OF DETECTING AND INVESTIGATING CORRUPTION OFFENCES AND JOINT INVESTIGATION TEAMS (Juuso Oilinki, Finland) ...............................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Corruption C. Report on Corruption and Anticorruption Policy in Latvia
    CORRUPTION ºC Report on Corruption and Anticorruption Policy in Latvia First semiannum 2006 2006 UDK 338.1(474.3) Pa 600 Editor-in-chief: Valts Kalniñß Authors in alphabetical order: Linda Austere Jånis Ikstens Inese Voika This project was funded in part by the U.S. Department of State. The views, findings, conclusions and recommendations expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of State. The authors take full responsibility for accuracy of the facts in Chapters 2–4. This report in Latvian and in English can be accessed on the Internet: http://www.politika.lv/ Editor: Ieva Janaite ∂ Texts, Linda Austere, Jånis Ikstens, Valts Kalniñß, Inese Voika, 2006 ∂ Translation, Lolita K¬aviña ∂ Text, Centre for Public Policy PROVIDUS, 2006 ∂ Design, “Nordik”, 2006 ISBN 9984–792–22–6 Contents Preface . 5 1. Combating Corruption. Facts: the First Six Months of 2006 . 7 2. Inese Voika The Practical Chances of Reducing Political Corruption: an Overview in the Run-Up to the 9th Saeima Elections . 16 3. Jånis Ikstens Political Parties and Corruption in Latvia: Structural Factors . 32 4. Linda Austere The Tide of Access to Information. In Expectation of the Ebb . 45 5. Appendix. Combating Corruption: a Quantitative Overview . 61 Tables Table 5.1. Criminal offenses registered in the public service in the first nine months of 2005, and their distribution among criminal cases . 61 Table 5.2. Number of persons charged with criminal offenses (principal offense*) . 62 Table 5.3. Persons convicted of criminal offenses committed in public service and forms of punishment (2004) .
    [Show full text]
  • Empirical Study of Anti-Corruption Policies and Practices in Nordic
    Empirical Study of Anti-Corruption Policies and Practices in Nordic Countries The purpose of this research is to compile turally, Nordic countries tend to see a high Introduction and analyze information on corruption in level of social cohesion, and thus ordinary Nordic countries as well as the tools and citizens feel less of a need to engage in acts practices used to combat corruption in of corruption such as bribery. However, the order to identify effective practices which construction and service industries are ma- then could be implemented in Latvia. The jor sectors contributing to the shadow econ- countries we studied are Denmark, Iceland, omies of Nordic countries. Foreign bribery Finland, Norway, and Sweden. also remains a problem in most of Nordic countries, and the major example of the Te- The research is constructed by separately lia case will be examined. Despite thorough analyzing each country’s anti-corruption regulations on political party financing and framework, and the nature of its public asset disclosure for public officials, no Nor- and private sectors in regards to combat- dic countries have regulations on lobbying ting corruption, as well as the role played in place. by civic empowerment in each country. The sources used aim to be as recent as pos- Though there is some overlap in terms of sible, with most coming from the past five legislation combatting corruption in Nor- years, however older sources are occasion- dic countries, there are tools and practices ally referenced when pertinent. specific to individual countries as well. For example, Norway’s National Authority for In- Certain trends regarding corruption can be vestigation and Prosecution of Economic and identified across the Nordic countries.
    [Show full text]
  • Educational Booklet for High School Teachers
    Youth in Action The project is supported by the European Commission. The content of the Project does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the European Commission or the Hungarian National Agency. These institutions shall not be held responsible for the Project. Contents 1. What’s corruption? 7 2. What can we do against corruption? 13 3. Corruption and public procurement 15 4. Elections and democracy 18 5. Party and campaign financing 21 6. Ideas of the winning groups 24 7. Games 26 8. Infographics 41 3 4 Dear Teachers, The young generation of Hungary considers integrity to be an important but unrewarding attitude. This is the conclusion of the report published by Transparency International Hungary. The study reveals that youngsters are united in their view that honesty does not pay, and people ready to lie, cheat and steal can get along much better in Hungary today than those who are uncorrupted. Although young people mostly reject corruption, economic hopelessness often overrides their moral principles; getting admitted to a good university or the hope of a well-paying job can be more attractive than preserving integrity. The striking results of this survey as well as the latest findings of TI’s questionnaire on the corruption risks of higher education (e.g. that ’nearly a quarter of students cheat or crib in exams) made it clear to us that immediate actions need to be taken in order to shake up the young generation. What better way is there to reach out to the youth than asking them directly about their opinions? Well, in the form of a joint, EC-funded project called ‘Youth in Action’ we conducted a parallel dialogue with young people in Hungary and Slovenia in order to find out how they would raise awareness in their communities on the topic of corruption.
    [Show full text]