CORRUPTION BAROMETER FOR APRIL 2024
Transparency International Macedonia continues to carry out its regular monthly activities for monitoring cases and activities related to corrupt behavior and the fight against corruption, which we’ve named “Light & Dark”.
The monitoring of these cases has received significant attention, both in the public sphere and among domestic and foreign institutions, and over time, it has evolved into a relevant alternative barometer for measuring corruption and assessing the government’s willingness to address this issue.
“DARK” OCCURRENCES FOR APRIL 2024
Serious government corruption and political interference in the judiciary and prosecution noted the State Department in the report on Macedonia – Serious government corruption is one of the significant problems facing North Macedonia, as stated in the report by the American State Department on the state of human rights in the country for the year 2023. “There have been no significant changes in the human rights situation in North Macedonia over the past year.” The State Department states that the government has taken limited steps to identify and punish officials who may have violated human rights. “In September, the Government adopted amendments to the Criminal Code, significantly reducing penalties for corruption-related crimes,” said the State Department. “Credible reports of unpunished judicial abuses, inadequate funding, resistance to using legally prescribed technology, and a lack of personnel undermine the judiciary’s effectiveness and erode public trust in the rule of law. Surveys show that the public does not trust the judiciary. Political advancements without merit and transparency occur in the courts and prosecution,” said the State Department.
Freedom House: Regression in the rule of law and the fight against corruption in North Macedonia – North Macedonia shows regression in the rule of law and the fight against corruption. These are the key notes in the latest report “Nations in Transit” by the organization Freedom House. The report warns of long-standing high-level corruption in North Macedonia, as well as the clash of parties over constitutional amendments needed due to Bulgaria’s veto on the country’s accession to the European Union. “The definitive characteristic of cyclical hybrids is a combination of genuine political pluralism and superficial institutional changes. They tend to lag behind in reforms aimed at establishing strong barriers between public service and private gain. Therefore, it is essential to promote anti-corruption mechanisms and judicial reforms in these countries, and the EU accession process plays an important role in this regard,” explains the report.
Administrative Court rules – The Academy for Judges and Public Prosecutors should suspend the selection process – The decision of the State Commission for Prevention of Corruption (SCPC) instructs the Academy for Judges and Public Prosecutors “Pavel Shatev” to suspend the training and selection process of candidates is legally upheld. The Administrative Court ruled to confirm the decision of SCPC. The clash between the Academy and the SCPC came after a complaint was filed stating that the electoral law was being violated, and the SCPC twice decided that the selection of candidates should be suspended until the end of the electoral process, i.e., the election of the president, Members of the Parliament, and the Government.
Administrative Court annuls over 3,000 decisions on promotions and hiring – The Administrative Court annulled the decisions on hiring and promotion of over 3,000 employees in the Ministry of Finance and the public sector because the Law on Technical Government was violated, Deputy Finance Minister Elena Petrova announced. According to her, although the decisions were supposed to be approved with her signature, as envisaged by the Law on Technical Government, Minister Besimi signed them himself. Petrova emphasized that most of the procedures for hiring and promotion began before the formation of the technical government.
Citizens complain to the Ombudsman that lengthy pre-investigation proceedings in the Basic Public Prosecutor’s Office Skopje lead to the statute of limitations for criminal offenses – Citizens’ notes regarding the duration of pre-investigation proceedings conducted by the Basic Public Prosecutors’ Offices and the lack of information, i.e., notification of the progress of the proceedings, are reasons why citizens complain to the Ombudsman. Most of the complaints from citizens are directed at the Basic Public Prosecutors’ Office and fewer towards the Basic Public Prosecutors’ Office for Prosecution of Organized Crime and Corruption in Skopje. In 2023, in the area related to the work and actions of the prosecutors’ offices, 63 petitions were submitted, of which the majority, 51, were addressed to the Basic Public Prosecutor’s Office Skopje. The Ombudsman’s recommendation is that the Basic Public Prosecutors’ Offices should act promptly and timely, take action within the 3-month deadline, and if they do not reach a prosecutorial decision, inform the higher public prosecutor and the complainant to avoid doubt and fear that the prosecution will be time-barred.
“LIGHT” OCCURRENCES FOR APRIL 2024
17 prison police officers arrested for involvement in prisoner escape – In an action by the Basic Public Prosecutors’ Office for Prosecution of Organized Crime and Corruption at the Ministry of Interior, around 17 prison police officers were arrested. The Basic Public Prosecutors’ Office for Prosecution of Organized Crime and Corruption also confirmed that the specialized department of this prosecutor’s office pursued a case involving police officers and prison police officers for committed criminal offenses.
The Ministry of Interior will file two criminal charges related to the elections, the prosecution has no reports of criminal offenses – “Based on previously filed reports, the Ministry of Interior has registered 6 violations and 2 criminal charges will be filed. One for the criminal offense “Violation of the Secrecy of Voting” under Article 163 of the Criminal Code and one for “Violation of Electoral Rights” provided for and punishable under Article 159 of the Criminal Code.”
Corruption Barometer – April 2024
