Montenegro

Fight against corruption key factor for the European integration

The UNDP’s Anti-corruption Project in Montenegro has two key aspects. One refers to the support in capacity development of Governmental Institutions with a mandate to  fight against corruption. In this regard, the UNDP in partnership with the Directorate for Anti-Corruption Initiative has started cooperation with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in Vienna, on the process of harmonization of local anti-corruption legislative with the UN Convention Against Corruption.  This Convention represents the only global mechanism which provides guidelines to the member states for improving the quality of fight against corruption. As for the second aspect of this Project, the UNDP carried out a programme of support to the civil society anti-corruption initiatives, in domains of the laws on free access to information, conflicts of interest and urban planning. The UNDP also established cooperation with the representatives from private sector to support the initiatives for reduction in business  barriers and creation of free business milleu.

Participants in the workshop were the representatives of the European Comission, the Council of Europe, the Foundation Open Society Institute (FOSI), the NGO Network for Affirmation of the Non-governmental Sector (MANS) and the National Commission for implementation of the Action Plan on the Programme for Fight against Corruption and Organized Crime.

Mr. Clive Rumbold, Acting Head of Delegation of the European Commission to Montenegro said that the fight against corruption is a key factor for the European integration, and activities in this field must be transparent. “Montenegro has legal framework and institutions to prevent corruption, and the European Union will support it through infrastructure, personnel and equipment so as to make the fight more successful,” Mr. Rumbold emphasized.

H.E. Ambassador Paraschiva Badescu, Head of the OSCE Mission to Montenegro stated that there were signs of progress in the domain of fighting corruption in Montenegro, but that it is also necessary to take several additional concrete steps. “Since this phenomenon is detrimental for the society, everyone can contribute to the fight, but it is necessary to focus on strengthening the capacities for fighting so called “sealed envelopes,” Ms. Badescu pointed out.

Deputy Supreme State Prosecutor, Ms. Tatjana Marković stressed that the state prosecutor cannot act independently in the fight against corruption. “The role of the Supreme State Prosecutor represents a link in the chain, and it is connected to the other state bodies, primarily to the police and non-governmental sector,” explained Ms. Marković.

Associate to the Minister of Internal Affairs, Ms. Nada Vukanić emphasized that the Government is dedicated to solve the corruption problem through forming of specialized bodies for fight against this phenomenon within legal framework. “In the following period all authorized state bodies will intensify their activities for further harmonization of the Montenegrin legislation. In this process, implementation of the Programme for fight against corruption and organized crime is particularly important,” stated Ms Vukanić. She also reminded that Montenegro adopted the National Plan in June 2006, which stresses the importance of fight against corruption and also lists concrete measures and activities to be carried out.

Ms. Vanja Ćalović, Director of NGO MANS criticized the work of the National Commission for Prevention of Corruption and Organized Crime which member she is, stating that there is no sufficient political will for activities of that kind. “As long as we have to read the embellished reports written by the Commission members, without an access to the key information on the implementation of the fight against corruption and organised crime; as long as those members of the Commission who are actually trying to do their job are being harassed and called state enemies, we will be dealing just with theory not practice,” said Ms. Ćalović.  Her opinion was also that the institutions in charge of fight against corruption pay more attention to hiding problems than to solving them.

Talking about the Anti-corruption Project future plans, Mr. Miodrag Dragišić, UNDP Montenegro Social Inclusion Team Leader announced cooperation with the UNODC regarding an in-depth research  on corruption in judiciary. The research will focus on causes, manifestations, expenditures and consequences of corruption in the related field.  Also, next year, similar researches in the domains of education and local governance will start. The essence of those researches is to set key indicators for the current situation concerning the level of corruption in the mentioned fields – with an aim to enable measuring of progress in the fight against this social anomaly through regular comparisons. 

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Message of Antonio Maria Costa, Executive Director, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime on the occasion of the International Day against Corruption:

Corruption is not some vast impersonal and inevitable force. It is a crime committed by people who decide to break the rules for their own gain.
In the case of bribery, there are two guilty parties - the person who offers the bribe, and the other who accepts it. One word can prevent this criminal act: 'no'.
The theme of anti-corruption day 2007 is that your 'no' counts.
If someone asks you for a small contribution - otherwise known as a bribe - to facilitate a process, just say 'no'.
If someone offers you a bribe to get something done, reject it.
These may seem like small acts, but they all make a difference. They stop the rot of a culture of dishonesty. They prevent fraud, abuse of office, and can even save lives. Your 'no' counts.
Your 'no' counts when you vote against corrupt politicians, stay clear of dishonest businesses, or blow the whistle on corruption at work.
Public officials, your 'no' counts when you refuse to accept bribes in return for influence and access. 
Judges, your 'no' counts when you refuse a pay-off to pervert the course of justice.
Teachers and parents, explain to children how their 'no' counts so that the next generation will have no tolerance for corruption. 
Anti-corruption bodies, your 'no' should be louder than most in order to help societies build integrity and prevent corruption. Governments must provide such agencies with the independence and resources to be able to say 'no' more often.
Banks, say 'no' to laundering the proceeds of crime or harbouring stolen assets. The Stolen Asset Recovery Initiative, launched this year by the World Bank and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, will help governments reduce the chance of having their assets stolen, and will help the people get their money back. In this way, we can all say 'no' to kleptocrats who think they can get away with plundering the nation's wealth.

These are all individual acts of courage and integrity that can stop corruption. Next time someone tries to buy a favour from you, don't forget: your 'no' counts.