MANS

Free access to information is one of the cornerstones in the development of an accountable government and an efficient democracy on its path to the European Union and obliged to comply with the requirements stemming from the United Nations conventions. The basic goal of the project within which this publication has been made is the use of legal mechanisms to make available to the public full information on privatisation decisions concerning the key state-owned companies made on behalf of the citizens by their elected representatives. more>>>

Montenegro was the last country in the region that adopted a Law on the Conflict of Interests. The first section of this publication deals with the attempts to pass a law which was “lost” for two years, when neither the Government nor the Parliament was able to determin where the law was. When the law was finally „found”, it was determined by most of public officers who voted for it to be completely inadequate. more>>>

Following strong pressure of the international institutions and civil society organizations, after more than two years and several drafts of the law, on November 8 2005 the Parliament adopted the Law on Free Access to Information. Thus the citizens of Montenegro obtained the right and the possibility to require and obtain information held by the state bodies, which has led to significant changes in former relations between the state and the citizen. more>>>

Since the adoption of the Law on Free Access to Information in the Parliament of Montenegro on November 08 2005, as one of the most important mechanisms in the procedure aimed at building responsible and efficient authorities, MANS submitted over 8000 requests for free access to information. more>>>

In the last several years the construction industry has seen a considerable growth compared to other industries in Montenegro. In Podgorica, the administrative centre of the Republic, there is a dominant construction of residential-business buildings. Flats for the market and hotels are built in Budva, while the National Park “Durmitor” is endangerd by illegal construction of settlements with weekend houses. more>>>

The Law on Free Access to Information is the one which enables the change in the pattern of relations between the state and its citizens. Enforcement of this law is one of key preconditions in fight against corruption recognised as the single most significant impediment to European integrations. more>>>

The purpose of this analysis and recommendations is to propose ways in which Montenegro’s Law on Free Access to Information (LFATI) could be amended to ensure fuller respect for the right of access to information. The LFATI adopted in November 2005 has already proved its value in ensuring that information that was not previously public in Montenegro has entered the public domain. This includes information related to privatization of state companies, and basic budgetary and structural information about the security services. more>>>

Aim of this publication is to question the political will for the fight against corruption and organized crime, through pointing out problems in the structure and functioning of the National Commission, shortcomings of the existing monitoring system and obstacles in free access to information. An integral part of this publication is the Report on implementation of the Action Plan developed on the basis of data gathered using the Law on Free Access to Information. more>>>

In the period from November 01 2007 until the end of May 2008 MANS realized the project ,,Free Access to Information on the State of the Environment in Montenegro” with the aim to improve access to information on the environment through promotion of the right to access information, publishing of information held by the state institutions, as well as provision of legal assistance to citizens and non-government organizations in collection of information on the state of the environment, especially in endangered areas. more>>>

In August 2006, the Government of Montenegro adopted Action Plan for Fight Against Corruption and Organized Crime, defining activities, responsible institutions and deadlines for reform implementation, while at mid February 2007, The Government established the National Commission for monitoring implementation of that document. Purpose of this publication is to point out shortcomings in work of the National Commission and present regional experiences, document hortcomings of the official system for Action Plan monitoring and provide a clearer picture on reforms implementation in 2008, problems in accessing information and attitude towards civil society. more>>>

Purpose of this publication is to highlight lack of political will for quality regulation and application of regulations in the area of conflict of interests among which the key role has the law on combat against corruption at highest levels. The publication consists of four chapters which document the process of drafting, deliberation and adoption of the set of Bills, major objections to the text of the present Law, examples in practice and statistical data on application of the Law. more>>>

During 2008, MANS worked in five areas: sustainable development focused on corruption in spatial planning and construction industry; transparency of the National Parliament and conflict of interest of public officers; monitoring implementation of national anticorruption policies; monitoring implementation of freedom of information legislation and developing institutional and judicial practices; and supporting citizens’ initiatives through legal advices and network of local offices. more>>>

Looking globally, the overall turnover in the construction industry is 3,200 billion dollars a year, which makes it very attractive for the organized crime structures. As for Montenegro, public largely fears that the money taken out of the country during the transition process is coming back and is laundered through construction of objects by the transition “winners”. That is at the same time the reason why those who dare speak about corruption in the construction industry are very rare. more >>>