Adoption | Publication Public 7 December 2018 GrecoEval5Rep(2018)3 FIFTH EVALUATION ROUND Preventing corruption and promoting integrity in central governments (top executive functions) and law enforcement agencies EVALUATION REPORT ESTONIA 7 Adopted by GRECO at its 81st Plenary Meeting (Strasbourg, 3-7 December 2018) TABLE OF CONTENTS I. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ............................................................................................................................. 4 II. INTRODUCTION AND METHODOLOGY ..................................................................................................... 6 III. CONTEXT .................................................................................................................................................. 7 IV. CORRUPTION PREVENTION IN CENTRAL GOVERNMENTS (TOP EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONS) ......................... 9 SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT AND TOP EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONS.............................................................................................. 9 Status and remuneration of persons with top executive functions ............................................................. 13 ANTICORRUPTION AND INTEGRITY POLICY, REGULATORY AND INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK .................................................. 14 Legal framework/ethical principles and rules of conduct ............................................................................ 15 Institutional framework ............................................................................................................................... 17 Awareness ................................................................................................................................................... 18 TRANSPARENCY AND OVERSIGHT OF EXECUTIVE ACTIVITIES OF CENTRAL GOVERNMENT ........................................................ 19 Access to information .................................................................................................................................. 19 Transparency of the law-making process .................................................................................................... 20 Third parties and lobbyists........................................................................................................................... 20 Control mechanisms .................................................................................................................................... 21 CONFLICTS OF INTEREST .......................................................................................................................................... 22 PROHIBITION OR RESTRICTION OF CERTAIN ACTIVITIES ................................................................................................... 24 Incompatibilities, outside activities and financial interests ......................................................................... 24 Contracts with state authorities .................................................................................................................. 24 Gifts ............................................................................................................................................................. 25 Misuse of public resources ........................................................................................................................... 25 Misuse of confidential information ............................................................................................................. 25 Post-employment restrictions ...................................................................................................................... 26 DECLARATION OF ASSETS, INCOME, LIABILITIES AND INTERESTS ....................................................................................... 27 Declaration requirements ............................................................................................................................ 27 Review mechanisms ..................................................................................................................................... 28 ACCOUNTABILITY AND ENFORCEMENT MECHANISMS .................................................................................................... 30 Criminal proceedings and immunities ......................................................................................................... 30 Non-criminal enforcement mechanisms ...................................................................................................... 31 V. CORRUPTION PREVENTION IN LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES .............................................................. 32 ORGANISATION AND ACCOUNTABILITY LAW ENFORCEMENT/POLICE AUTHORITIES ............................................................... 32 Overview of various law enforcement authorities ....................................................................................... 32 Access to information .................................................................................................................................. 33 Public trust in law enforcement authorities ................................................................................................ 34 Trade unions and professional organisations .............................................................................................. 34 ANTI-CORRUPTION AND INTEGRITY POLICY .................................................................................................................. 34 Anti-corruption strategy .............................................................................................................................. 34 RISK MANAGEMENT MEASURES FOR CORRUPTION PRONE AREAS ..................................................................................... 35 Advice, training and awareness ................................................................................................................... 38 RECRUITMENT, CAREER AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE ................................................................................................... 39 Appointment procedure............................................................................................................................... 39 Performance evaluation and promotion to a higher rank ........................................................................... 40 Rotation ....................................................................................................................................................... 42 Termination of service and dismissal from office ........................................................................................ 42 Salaries and benefits .................................................................................................................................... 43 CONFLICTS OF INTEREST .......................................................................................................................................... 43 PROHIBITION OR RESTRICTION OF CERTAIN ACTIVITIES ................................................................................................... 44 Incompatibilities and outside activities ....................................................................................................... 44 Gifts ............................................................................................................................................................. 46 Misuse of public resources ........................................................................................................................... 47 Third party contacts, confidential information ............................................................................................ 47 Post-employment restrictions ...................................................................................................................... 48 DECLARATION OF ASSETS, INCOME, LIABILITIES AND INTERESTS ....................................................................................... 49 2 DECLARATION REQUIREMENTS ................................................................................................................................. 49 REVIEW MECHANISMS ............................................................................................................................................ 49 OVERSIGHT AND ENFORCEMENT ............................................................................................................................... 50 Internal oversight and control ..................................................................................................................... 50 External oversight and control..................................................................................................................... 51 Complaints system ....................................................................................................................................... 51 REPORTING OBLIGATIONS AND WHISTLEBLOWER PROTECTION ........................................................................................ 53 Reporting obligations .................................................................................................................................. 53 Whistleblower protection ............................................................................................................................ 54 ENFORCEMENT PROCEDURE AND SANCTIONS .............................................................................................................