Financial Crime World

Costa Rica Takes Steps Towards Strengthening Anti-Corruption Measures

Despite facing significant challenges in combating corruption, Costa Rica has taken steps towards strengthening its anti-corruption efforts. The country’s National Strategy of Integrity and Prevention of Corruption 2021-2030 (ENIPC) was declared a matter of public interest by the Executive Decree 43248-MJP and includes an action plan with strategic objectives to mitigate public integrity risks.

Implementation and Oversight

The Ministry of Justice is responsible for overseeing the implementation of the ENIPC, while the Task Force is responsible for monitoring and reporting on its progress. However, despite the existence of an action plan, there are concerns that it lacks clear targets and financial plans.

International Standards

According to international standards set by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Costa Rica falls short in terms of corruption risk management and audit. Specifically:

  • Costa Rica fulfills only 84% of criteria for regulations on internal control and internal audit, but only 7% for practice.
  • There is no central institution responsible for developing internal control systems and no comprehensive reporting on internal control and internal audit.

Lobbying Regulation

Costa Rica also lacks a comprehensive lobbying regulation:

  • There is no law governing the activity and no supervisory function to oversee transparency of lobbying activities.
  • The country does not have an established lobbying register to disclose information about lobbying activities.

Conflict of Interest

In terms of conflict of interest, Costa Rica has a comprehensive framework in place, but there are concerns that it is not effectively implemented:

  • The Law against Corruption and Illicit Enrichment in Public Function presents a clear framework for identifying potential conflicts of interest.
  • However, there is no data available on the submission rate of interest declarations and no information on sanctions for non-compliance.

Political Finance Regulations

Costa Rica’s political finance regulations are also deemed inadequate by international standards:

  • While the country has laws regulating political finance and election campaigns, there are concerns that they are not effectively enforced.
  • Financial reports from all political parties are publicly available, but there is no data available on whether parties submitted their annual accounts within the timelines defined by national legislation.

Transparency of Public Information

Costa Rica’s transparency of public information is also deemed inadequate:

  • While the country has laws guaranteeing access to information, there are concerns that these laws are not effectively implemented.
  • The National Commission for an Open State is responsible for monitoring open data policy, but there is no supervisory body responsible for managing potential issues related to access to public information.

Conclusion

Despite these challenges, Costa Rica’s efforts towards strengthening its anti-corruption measures are a step in the right direction. However, more needs to be done to ensure that these efforts are effectively implemented and enforced.