Adoption: 22 March 2019 Public Publication: 3 May 2019 GrecoEval5Rep(2018)4 FIFTH EVALUATION ROUND Preventing corruption and promoting integrity in central governments (top executive functions) and law enforcement agencies EVALUATION REPORT SWEDEN Adopted by GRECO at its 82nd Plenary Meeting (Strasbourg, 18-22 March 2019) TABLE OF CONTENTS I. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ............................................................................................................................. 4 II. INTRODUCTION AND METHODOLOGY ..................................................................................................... 5 III. CONTEXT .................................................................................................................................................. 5 IV. CORRUPTION PREVENTION IN CENTRAL GOVERNMENTS (TOP EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONS).......................... 7 SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT AND TOP EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONS.............................................................................................. 7 System of government ................................................................................................................................... 7 Status and remuneration of persons with top executive functions ............................................................... 8 ANTICORRUPTION AND INTEGRITY POLICY, REGULATORY AND INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK .................................................. 10 Ethical principles and rules of conduct ........................................................................................................ 11 Awareness ................................................................................................................................................... 11 TRANSPARENCY AND OVERSIGHT OF EXECUTIVE ACTIVITIES OF CENTRAL GOVERNMENT ........................................................ 12 Access to information .................................................................................................................................. 12 Transparency of the law-making process .................................................................................................... 13 Third parties and lobbyists........................................................................................................................... 14 Control mechanisms .................................................................................................................................... 14 CONFLICTS OF INTEREST .......................................................................................................................................... 15 PROHIBITION OR RESTRICTION OF CERTAIN ACTIVITIES ................................................................................................... 16 Incompatibilities, outside activities and financial interests ......................................................................... 16 Contracts with state authorities .................................................................................................................. 17 Gifts ............................................................................................................................................................. 17 Misuse of confidential information, misuse of public resources .................................................................. 18 Post-employment restrictions ...................................................................................................................... 18 DECLARATION OF ASSETS, INCOME, LIABILITIES AND INTERESTS ....................................................................................... 19 Declaration requirements ............................................................................................................................ 19 Review mechanisms ..................................................................................................................................... 21 ACCOUNTABILITY AND ENFORCEMENT MECHANISMS .................................................................................................... 21 Non-criminal accountability mechanisms .................................................................................................... 21 Criminal proceedings and immunities ......................................................................................................... 23 V. CORRUPTION PREVENTION IN LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES .............................................................. 24 ORGANISATION AND ACCOUNTABILITY OF LAW ENFORCEMENT/POLICE AUTHORITIES........................................................... 24 Overview of various law enforcement authorities ....................................................................................... 24 Access to information .................................................................................................................................. 26 Public trust in law enforcement authorities ................................................................................................ 26 Trade unions ................................................................................................................................................ 27 ANTICORRUPTION AND INTEGRITY POLICY ................................................................................................................... 27 Policy, planning and institutionalised mechanisms for implementation ..................................................... 27 Code of ethics .............................................................................................................................................. 28 Risk management measures for corruption prone areas ............................................................................ 29 Handling undercover operations and contacts with informants and witnesses .......................................... 30 Advice, training and awareness ................................................................................................................... 31 RECRUITMENT, CAREER AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE ................................................................................................... 32 Recruitment requirements and appointment procedure ............................................................................. 32 Performance evaluation and promotion to a higher rank, transfers and termination of service ................ 33 Salaries and benefits .................................................................................................................................... 34 CONFLICTS OF INTEREST .......................................................................................................................................... 34 PROHIBITION OR RESTRICTION OF CERTAIN ACTIVITIES ................................................................................................... 35 Incompatibilities, outside activities and financial interests ......................................................................... 35 Gifts ............................................................................................................................................................. 36 Misuse of public resources ........................................................................................................................... 36 Misuse of confidential information, contacts with third parties ................................................................. 36 Post-employment restrictions ...................................................................................................................... 36 DECLARATION OF ASSETS, INCOME, LIABILITIES AND INTERESTS ....................................................................................... 36 Declaration requirements ............................................................................................................................ 36 2 Review mechanisms ..................................................................................................................................... 37 SUPERVISION AND ENFORCEMENT ............................................................................................................................. 38 Internal oversight mechanisms .................................................................................................................... 38 External oversight mechanisms ................................................................................................................... 39 Complaints system ....................................................................................................................................... 40 Reporting obligations and whistleblower protection .................................................................................. 41 Criminal proceedings ................................................................................................................................... 42 Statistics ...................................................................................................................................................... 42 VI. RECOMMENDATIONS AND FOLLOW-UP ................................................................................................. 44 3 I. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1. This report evaluates the effectiveness of the framework in place in Sweden to prevent corruption among persons with top executive functions (ministers and