CORRUPTION BAROMETER FOR JUNE 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 JUNE 2024
Report from the Ministry of Culture: Crimes and Criminal Offenses at the Film Agency – Numerous violations of legal provisions, disregard of procedures, codes, and ethical norms, lack of selectivity in work, close ties between the Board of the Film Agency and responsible persons in the Macedonian Film Workers Society, seven years of the same individuals making decisions on the Agency for Film’s finances in business dealings with the DFRM. This is only a small part of the report by the Working Group to assess the situation at the Agency formed by the Minister of Culture. The audit was conducted during April and May 2024. From this report, it can be concluded that a dozen possible criminal offenses have been committed involving abuse of official position or negligent work that has damaged the state budget. Numerous cases of nepotism and clientelism are cited.
The State Commission for Prevention of Corruption: About 80 cases have expired – Officials neither submitted asset declarations nor paid fines – About 80 cases opened in 2021 on their own initiative and upon review of their records, members of the State Commission for Prevention of Corruption (SCPC) at the continuation of the sixth session decided to close and archive them due to expiration. These involve named officials mainly from the management and supervisory boards of public enterprises, healthcare institutions, clinics, correctional facilities, and other state institutions who, upon the termination of their functions, did not comply with the legally established deadline of 30 days to submit an asset declaration to SCPC. For these cases, SCPC did not initiate misdemeanor proceedings within the statutory deadline, resulting in the expiration of the offenses, which according to the Misdemeanor Law (Art. 41), “cannot be initiated or conducted if two years have passed since the date of the offense.”
The State Commission for Preventing Corruption will demand accountability from Demiri – illegally dismissed directors of Toxicology and Cardio Surgery – According to anti-corruption authorities, procedures for dismissal from office were not respected for both dismissals, meaning, as SCPC states, proposals for dismissal should have been made by the Boards of Directors to the Health Councils of both clinics. Minister of Health Ilir Demiri illegally dismissed the medical director of the Toxicology Clinic, Danil Petrovski, and the director of the state Cardio Surgery, Marjan Shokarovski. The Anti-Corruption Commission has found that both decisions by Minister Demiri violated the Law on Prevention of Corruption and Conflict of Interest, the Health Care Law, and also breached the Electoral Code, as the dismissals were made with decisions adopted on May 14 and May 27, before the conclusion of the parliamentary elections on May 30, 2024.
State Commission for Preventing Corruption: Mayor promoted his wife to advisor in his municipality – The mayor openly advertised and promoted his wife from a position as a collaborator to an advisor, thereby violating the Law on Prevention of Corruption. During its 6th session, SCPC informed that the mayor submitted the requested documentation regarding whether his wife was employed by the municipality and the entire procedure for her promotion, which was found by the Anti-Corruption Commission to have violated the law. SCPC confirmed the violation, and the mayor paid the fine, closing the case, as no further institution has jurisdiction to proceed. The Anti-Corruption Commission also reported that an official who declared a conflict of interest in the institution held two conflicting roles against the law. Upon SCPC’s instructions, this individual submitted documentation proving resignation from the position as a Board member and paid the fine for the violation, closing the case.
Survey by the Chamber of Commerce: Central and local authorities demanded bribes from private businesses – Many companies have reported corruption, fearing business failure or believing that reporting would have no effect, even if they did report. These findings come from the latest results of the survey on corruption in the private business sector conducted by the Chamber of Commerce in March of this year, reflecting data from 2023. The central government ranks highest in soliciting bribes from businesses, attempting to indirectly solicit money through tenders, employment or promotion favors, donations to political parties, or gifts. Internationally, Macedonia ranks 76th in corruption rankings. “Corruption sometimes corrodes society from within, posing a national security issue as to whether we will have security or not. In short, corruption is a cancer on society. Five companies were asked for over 100,000 euros, and some were asked for 6-10% of the tender amount.” – Mr. Zoran Jovanovski, advisor to the President of the Chamber of Commerce.
“LIGHT” OCCURRENCES FOR JUNE 2024
Reaction to the absence of a consultative process for amending the system Law on the Organization of State Administration Bodies – The Platform of Civil Society Organizations against Corruption reacts to the Parliament of the Republic of North Macedonia regarding the closed and non-consultative process with stakeholders on the Draft Law Amending the Law on the Organization of State Administration Bodies. Additionally, the formation of three new ministries and the reorganization of the state administration system without prior in-depth analysis of the justification for the proposal are unacceptable to the Platform of Civil Society Organizations against Corruption. We emphasize that this negatively affects cooperation and trust between civil society and policy makers. With this reaction, the Platform remains consistent with its previous position from 2022 that the reorganization of state administration is an extremely important process that must be based on principles of transparency, inclusiveness, and prior preparation of citizens for the systemic changes being initiated.
Inspector from Ministry of Interior accused of document falsification and misconduct – The Internal Control Department, Forensic Investigations, and Professional Standards at the Ministry of Interior filed a criminal complaint against Z.L., an independent inspector at the Regional Border Centers South, on suspicion of “misconduct in office” and “forging documents in special cases.” According to the Ministry of Interior, as the chair of the disciplinary responsibility commission at RBC South and RBC West, he failed twice to initiate disciplinary proceedings against an employee within the legal deadline. Additionally, he falsified the signature of the deputy commission member on the decision to terminate disciplinary proceedings against the employee. The Internal Control Department will recommend disciplinary and procedural action for violation of work regulations, and the accused will be suspended from duty pending the completion of the investigation.
Corruption Barometer – June 2024
