BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA FALTERS IN GLOBAL RANKINGS ON ANTI-CORRUPTION EFFORTS
Marking International Anti-Corruption Day: A Call for Action
The OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina joins the country’s citizens, national institutions, and international organizations in marking International Anti-Corruption Day on Wednesday. However, despite efforts from anti-corruption stakeholders, the country is regressing globally in its fight against corruption.
Progress Remains Elusive
According to Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index, Bosnia and Herzegovina continues to regress globally. A recent report by the Council of Europe’s Group of States against Corruption concluded that the country has made no progress in implementing recommendations provided in previous evaluation reports.
- The OSCE Mission’s own monitoring has shown a clear failure of the BiH criminal justice system to address corruption effectively.
- The COVID-19 pandemic has created new opportunities for corrupt actors to exploit inadequate institutional oversight, coordination, and transparency.
Ongoing Efforts to Combat Corruption
The OSCE Mission remains committed to assisting institutions and stakeholders in improving their capacities to curb corruption. In 2020:
- The Mission supported the establishment of databases to identify conflict-of-interest situations in several entities and municipalities.
- It helped develop anti-corruption action plans at all government levels to combat pandemic-related corruption.
Plans for Improved Coordination
The Mission is planning to provide IT equipment to key anti-corruption authorities to improve coordination efforts and alleviate technical challenges. Ongoing monitoring of corruption cases serves to identify issues and trends, which can be used to help secure the integrity, impartiality, and accountability of the judiciary as a necessary precondition for effective judicial response to corruption.
A Call to Action
Progress will not occur without the commitment of all citizens, including public officials, legislators, prosecutors, police, and the media. The OSCE Mission is urging citizens to report suspected cases of corruption and press their elected officials for action to curb corruption in government. It is also commending investigative journalists who have helped uncover cases of corruption and calling on judicial and law enforcement authorities to step up efforts to investigate and prosecute violations.
Legislative Reforms
The Mission is further urging lawmakers to adopt needed legislation on conflict-of-interest and crucial amendments to the existing law on the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council. Unless Bosnia and Herzegovina makes progress in combating corruption, it will continue to fall short of its potential to develop as a prosperous democratic state.