Financial Crime World

Corruption in FYR Macedonia: Immunity and Conflict of Interest Issues

==========================================================

The Fight Against Corruption in FYR Macedonia

Skopje, FYR Macedonia - The fight against corruption in FYR Macedonia has been hindered by issues surrounding parliamentary immunity and conflict of interest. According to a recent report by the Group of States Against Corruption (GRECO), the country’s legal framework is plagued by loopholes that prevent the pursuit of justice.

Parliamentary Immunity Issues

One major concern is the high threshold required for lifting parliamentary immunity, which GRECO recommends reducing through legislative changes. Currently, a two-thirds majority vote is needed to lift immunity, making it difficult for investigations and prosecutions to proceed.

  • The government decides whether or not to lift immunity for its members.
  • There is no provision for detention without authorization.
  • This has led GRECO to recommend amending national legislation to ensure that the procedure for deciding on immunity is not carried out by the government itself.

Conflict of Interest Concerns

A significant number of public officials in FYR Macedonia are unaware of the definition and manifestation of conflict of interest, according to a State Programme on Prevention and Repression of Conflict of Interests. The programme notes that efforts should be made to strengthen prevention through education and develop a system for detection, addressing, and sanctioning conflict of interest cases.

  • The legal framework for preventing conflicts of interest is established by the constitution and further elaborated in several laws regulating the status of public officials.
  • However, enforcement has been unsatisfactory, with many officials not fully aware of their obligations.
  • GRECO recommends strengthening prevention through education and developing a system for detection, addressing, and sanctioning conflict of interest cases.

Impact on Anti-Corruption Efforts

The country’s anti-corruption efforts are hindered by these issues, highlighting the need for reforms to ensure transparency and accountability in government. The European Commission’s 2010 progress report highlighted that GRECO’s recommendations regarding guidelines on requests for lifting immunity have not been implemented.

Conclusion

==========

Corruption in FYR Macedonia remains a significant challenge due to immunity and conflict of interest issues. To address these concerns, it is essential to reform the legal framework and implement effective measures to prevent and detect corruption.