NATIONAL INTEGRITY SYSTEM ASSESSMENT KOSOVO October 2015
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TRANSPARENCY AND ANTI-CORRUPTION NATIONAL INTEGRITY SYSTEM ASSESSMENT KOSOVO October 2015 This project is funded by the European Union and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation.249 NATIONAL INTEGRITY SYSTEM (NIS) ASSESSMENT 2 TRANSPARENCY AND ANTI-CORRUPTION NATIONAL INTEGRITY SYSTEM ASSESSMENT KOSOVO October 2015 3 The National Integrity System Assessment (NIS) of Kosovo is prepared by Kosova Democratic Institute (KDI), a member of Transparency International, in cooperation with Transparency International Secretariat in Berlin (TI-S). This project is funded by the European Union. This publication has been produced with the assistance of the European Union. The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of Kosova Democratic Institute and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union. National Integrity System Assessment (NIS) of Kosovo would not have been published without the generous support of Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) in Kosovo in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). This project is funded by the European Union. Authors: Visar Sutaj & Artan Canhasi External Reviewer: Agron Bajrami Layout & Design: Faton Selani Cover photo: ©Flickr, Creative Commons / Vegim Zhitija Every effort has been made to verify the accuracy of the information contained in this report. All information was believed to be correct as of September 2015. Nevertheless, Kosova Democratic Institute / Transparency International cannot accept responsibility for the consequences of its use for other purposes or in other contexts. NATIONAL INTEGRITY SYSTEM (NIS) ASSESSMENT TABLE OF CONTENTS I. INTRODUCTORY NOTE ........................................................ 07 II. ABOUT THE NATIONAL INTEGRITY SYSTEM ASSESSMENT .. 13 III. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .................................................... 18 IV. COUNTRY PROFILE ........................................................... 24 V. CORRUPTION PROFILE ....................................................... 28 VI. ANTI-CORRUPTION ACTIVITIES ........................................ 29 VII. NATIONAL INTEGRITY SYSTEM ....................................... 34 1. LEGISLATURE ............................................................................................................35 2. EXECUTIVE ................................................................................................................49 3. JUDICIARY ................................................................................................................61 4. PUBLIC SECTOR .........................................................................................................77 5. POLICE ......................................................................................................................91 6. STATE PROSECUTOR ...................................................................................................105 7. CENTRAL ELECTION COMMISSION ............................................................................121 8. OMBUDSPERSON ......................................................................................................135 9. OFFICE OF AUDITOR GENERAL ....................................................................................147 10. ANTI-CORRUPTION AGENCY ...................................................................................157 11. POLITICAL PARTIES .................................................................................................169 12. MEDIA ....................................................................................................................185 13. CIVIL SOCIETY .........................................................................................................201 14. BUSINESS ...............................................................................................................213 15. STATE OWNED ENTERPRISES ...................................................................................227 VIII. RECOMMENDATIONS .................................................... 240 IX. BIBLIOGRAPHY................................................................ 243 6 TRANSPARENCY AND ANTI-CORRUPTION I. INTRODUCTORY NOTE I am grateful for the opportunity of introducing the assessment of the National Integrity System (NIS). This is the second time that this study has been conducted in Kosovo since 2011. The concept of NIS has been developed and promoted by Transparency International (TI) as part of TI’s holistic approach to combating corruption. This report is an updated version which aims to assess whether there has been any progress in the last four years with regards to the country’s integrity system and identify recommendations and advocacy priorities for improving the country’s integrity system. Regardless that Kosovo institutions have managed to create adequate jurisdiction, not sufficient commitment or priority is invested at practical level to ensure the implementation of the legislation and strengthening of institutional integrity able to confront political interferences. To this regard, the cooperation between institutions is inefficient to guarantee sustainable engagement in combating and reducing corruption. Many institutions do not relish sufficient public confidence whereas civil society continues to criticize the non transparent ap- proach of the institutions and lack of accountability. Hereby institutions are not immune to corruption and kleptocratic actions. The institutional and political rhetoric for good governance shall be build upon concrete improvements and actions of the institutions that guarantee institutional independence, transparency and sustainability in addressing issues of general interest and in helping to achieve better results in fight against corruption. A large number of experts and officials have been instrumental in the preparation of this research project. Whether they reviewed the final report, participated in interviews and workshop activities, provided technical and research assistance, many thanks to them all. The first to acknowledge is the Transparency International (TI) Secretariat in Berlin who had the patience and effort to review our work in progress for more than a year. Particular thanks to Andrew McDevitt, Julia Mager, Tinatin Ninua, Conny Abel, Rebecca Dobson and Julie Anne Miranda-Brobeck who gave immense amount of time and advice during the whole research process. Finalizing this report would have not been possible without the support of Agron Bajrami. He was in charge of editing the report and giving us comments for corrections in terms of language and content. In addition, the list of individuals who gave a great deal of their time and knowledge during the research process are divided as in the following groups: advisory group, focus groups, and interviews. KDI is grateful to all. Ismet Kryeziu, Executive Director of Kosova Democratic Institute 7 NATIONAL INTEGRITY SYSTEM (NIS) ASSESSMENT ADVISORY GROUP MEMBERS Adnan Merovci Independent Media Commission Agron Demi GAP Institute Besnik Osmani Ministry of Local Government and Administration Blerim Kelmendi Kosovo Anti-Corruption Agency Edis Agani European Union Office Enver Peci Kosovo Judicial Council Fejzullah Hasani Supreme Court Laura Pula State Prosecutor’s Office Majlinda Lulaj Ombudsperson Institute Shqipe Neziri Vela United Nations Development Program Valdete Idrizi CiviKos Platform Visar Hapçiu American Chamber of Commerce FOCUS GROUPS PARTICIPANTS Afrim Maliqi Handikos Ajete Kërqeli Peer Educators Network Albert Krasniqi Kosova Democratic Institute Avni Bytyçi Group for Legal and Political Studies Betim Musliu Kosovo Law Institute Diana Metushi Krasniqi Kosova Democratic Institute Driton Selmanaj Kosova Democratic Institute Edita Mustafa Kosova Democratic Institute Edona Tolaj Youth Initiative for Human Rights Fjolla Uka Kosova Democratic Institute Gersi Gashi Democracy for Development Gresa Musliu Balkan Investigative Reporting Network Isuf Zejna Kosova Democratic Institute Jetmir Bakia Kosova Democratic Institute Jeton Mehmeti GAP Institute Kreshnik Gashi Internews Kosova Lekë Batalli Group for Legal and Political Studies Lorik Bajrami Çohu Nita Tafarshiku Kosova Democratic Institute Majlinda Kurti Kosova Democratic Institute Osman Shatri Handikos Qëndresa Mrasori Kosova Democratic Institute Teuta Hoxha Youth Initiative for Human Rights Valdet Hoxha Kosova Democratic Institute Valmir Ismaili Kosova Democratic Institute 8 TRANSPARENCY AND ANTI-CORRUPTION INTERVIEW RESPONDENTS Agron Demi GAP Institute Alban Hashani Riinvest Institute Albert Avdiu Kosovo Judicial Council Artan Mustafa Independent Consultant Artan Venhari Office of the General Auditor Berat Thaçi GAP Institute Betim Musliu Kosovo Law Institute Blerim Kelmendi Kosovo Anti-Corruption Agency Burim Ejupi Institute for Development Policy Driton Selmanaj Kosova Democratic Institute Edona Tolaj Youth Initiative for Human Rights Emin Beqiri Kosovo Police Emrush Haxhiu Kosovo Assembly Enver Boqolli Office of the General Auditor Enver Fejzullahu Independent Consultant Fatos Mustafa Ministry of Public Administration Fidan Kalaja Fol Fisnik Korenica Group for Legal and Political Studies Florian Qehaja Kosovo Center for Security Studies Gëzim Mejzini Ministry of Trade and Industry Gresa Musliu Balkan Investigative Reporting Network Hilmi Jashari Ombudsperson Institute Hydajet Hyseni Kosovo Judicial Council Jashar Kastrati Ombudsperson Institute Jeton Llapashtica Zëri Jeton