4 minutes agoYOU: Political readiness in Kosovo to give up interventions in judiciary
Periskopi(2 years ago)
(2 years ago)In Kosovo, there is no political readiness to give up interference in the judiciary, and this country has yet to work in fighting corruption. That is what was said in the 2023 Corruption Perception Index report compiled by international organisations Transparency International. Like last year, Kosovo has 41 points. Infographic [...]
In Kosovo, there is no political readiness to give up interference in the judiciary, and this country has yet to work in fighting corruption.
That is what was said in the 2023 Corruption Perception Index report compiled by international organisations Transparency International.
Like last year, Kosovo has 41 points.
Kosovo in fight against corruption in recent years
The index lists 180 countries and territories of the world each year based on perceived levels of corruption in the public sector. He uses a point methodology, according to which zero points for a very corrupt country, while 100 for a clean spot from this phenomenon.
In the part of Kosovo, the report has said that despite continued efforts, reforms that are key to independence of the judicial system, such as establishing the veto process and adopting the new law, which could empower integrity in the Prosecutorial Council, are moving at a very slow pace.
Even worse, the government's continued intervention in judicial affairs, illustrated with the dismissal of the Kosovo Special Police Unit's chief, along with the intervention of majority deputies in the parliamentary investigation into a major corruption case, suggest there is no political will to give up control and to strengthen independent oversight”, it has been said in the report.
Self - Sacrificing Process
The Vetting Process has been promised by the Government of Prime Minister Albin Kurti in the four-year programme.
However, it is still in the initial phase.
This process implies re-evaluation of prosecutors and judges, their professional growth, fighting corruption, and halting the influence of politics or other elements in justice.
Where's the veto in justice?
The concept of self-document has also appreciated the Venice Commission.
According to the commission, effective vetoing, in Kosovo's case, requires combining different measures, which would have a positive effect on the integrity and efficiency of the justice system.
The first point has been recommended verifying high levels in the judiciary and the prosecutor.
Constitutional amendments to vetoing at high levels have been drafted by an ad-hoc Kosovo Parliament commission supported by the Ministry of Justice.
Later, in March 2023, Kosovo Parliament Speaker Glauk Konjufca had submitted some amendments to the Constitutional Court to see if they are in line with the Constitution.
The Constitutional Court has not yet given its word on the matter, though, under the law, this group must give recognition within six months, after accepting the application.
American Embassy: Kosovo needs systematic vetoing
According to the United Nations Organisation Development Programme (UNDP) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), public Pulse, published this year, only 29 percent of citizens are satisfied with the work of Kosovo's justice system.
Region countries
Of the countries in the region, Albania, Northern Macedonia, Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina have noted easy progress. Serbia remains at a deadlock.
Who mostly fights corruption in the Balkans?
CAPIRIA
Albania has been estimated at 37 points more than last year.
Although improved the situation, with particular emphasis on investigating and judging high-level corruption, major progress in Albania has been said to depend on strengthening criminal justice legislation, and ensuring effective supervision of the executive branch.
The report has referred to the work of Special Anti-Corruption and Organised Crime Structure (SPAK), which was built in December 2019 in order to investigate corruption at high levels and organised crime.
The United States has said it supports SPAK's work and justice reform in Albania.
US Supports SPAK: Reform in Justice in Albania Giving Results
The decision to create a new ministry responsible for anti-corruption activities means there are expectations for effective integrity mechanisms. However, this cannot be achieved, if Parliament has no greater autonomy, and if civil society organisations and the media cannot carry out their supervisory role, without any obstacle to authorities”, it is said in the report.
At the head of the new ministry in Albania, for Administration and Anti-Corruption, has been appointed Adea Pirdeni, who has so far been deputy justice minister.
NORTHERN MACEEDONIA
Northern Macedonia is listed on the list of countries where poor justice enables corruption to flourish.
This country has scored easy progress, with 42 points . two more than last year, but which, according to the report, progress has marked a setback following changes in the Criminal Code.
The decision to reduce the sentences for abuse of official duties for personal gain and reduced deadlines for launching legal procedures for alleged corruption cases is good for corrupt persons, as about 200 cases will be aged, including those against former high-level officials. Motivated appointments on political grounds, and dismissals of court officials raise concerns about the judiciary's ability to effectively fight corruption”, it is said in the report.
What's behind the changes in the Penal Code?
The amendments to the Penal Code were adopted in September last year.
These changes, the Government has argued with the need to harmonise the Criminal Code with European practices, but also forgo the provisions of legislation, which according to the Government, were still based on the practices of the former Yugoslav system.
For legal connoisseurs in Skopje, the changes have been scandalous and “the function of protecting crime”.
COLIL
Montenegro's 46th point, one more than the previous year, has been cited as an example of how the previous capture of the state could result in long-term consequences in institutions.
After three decades of a ruling party ended in 2020, many have felt encouraged to report past corruption. However, the slight progress in processing these cases and the struggle to rebuild a functional judiciary show how deep the capture of the past regime has been, and how the justice system from organised crime has been destroyed”, as reference to the governance of Milo Djukanovic.
Stradner for Montenegro after the elections: Expect the influence of foreign factors
According to the report, to be successful, the government coalition led by the Movement Europe Now must make the fight against corruption and organised crime a priority.
Montenegro's new government was elected in October 2023, in charge of Prime Minister Milloko Spajic.
Europe's Centre Coalition Now won early parliamentary elections held in June.
SERBIA
At 36 points the same way that Serbia is said to experience a decline in democracy, with its <x0th autocratic government, which uses special laws to limit transparency in large-scale projects”.
It mentions contracts with inflated prices and poor construction quality in several projects that are meant to be finalised with public funds worth 1 billion euros.
As another problematic issue has been cited as election fraud in Serbia's recent elections, of which it is said to have benefited the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) and its allies.
This institution of justice, caught by politics, is failing to protect public interest at key times, reducing the state's ability to end corruption”.
Multiple MEPs for Serbia Elections
Parliamentary, local and district elections were held in Serbia in December 2023.
That election process has been described as unfair, according to international observers.
But Serbian President Aleksandar Vuciq and his allies have said the elections are fair.
The opposition refuses the election result and has protested several times in Belgrade.
BO SUN-HERCEGOVINA
In Bosnia and Herzegovina's 35-point stake, one more than the past period has been said that complex governance and judicial structures leave room for concentration of power in the main parties on ethnic grounds.
“Their dominance in all branches of power contributes to systematic corruption and undermines the functioning of the state, so citizens lose confidence in the” institutions.
For many, this negative trend is said to have been exacerbated by efforts by the political elite to silence the supervisor.
World in Trouble With Corruption
Overall, the report mentions that most countries have made little or no progress in fighting corruption in the public sector.
Denmark is the first on the list, with 90 points, as very efficient in fighting corruption, while Somalia is the last of 11 points.
The average points of the countries remain unchanged at 43 points for the 12th year in a row, and over two-thirds of the states have more than 50 points.
This, according to the report, points to serious corruption problems. /rel
