Podgorica, 29 April 2011 – Today MANS released its 14th “Report on the Realization of the Action Plan for Implementing the Fight Against Corruption and Organized Crime,” which contains information about anti-corruption reforms that were implemented in Montenegro in 2010.
Of the 266 measures that were foreseen under the Montenegrin Action Plan during 2010, only 13% of these have been completely implemented, while half have only been partially implemented. 41% of the planned measures haven’t even been initiated. We were not able to judge the status of 2 measures on the basis of available information.
The greatest number of measures implemented during 2010 were of an administrative nature, which means that they couldn’t have made a large contribution to the actual reduction in levels of corruption and organized crime in Montenegro. The largest share of implemented measures related to things like training state personnel, acquiring missing technical equipment for a number of institutions, as well as acquiring adequate working space for some. Some state institutions also ran ad campaigns that were aimed at raising consciousness about corruption and worked to spread their messages to various media. Institutions were also concluding agreements with state institutions, other states and international organizations as well as adopting a number of legal acts.
On the other hand, key reforms that could contribute to achieving significant results in the fight against corruption and organized crime weren’t even begun. The Assembly of Montenegro has yet to establish a separate body that would be focused on the fight against corruption and organized crime, nor has the full harmonization of national legislation with organized crime conventions been accomplished. No amendments were made to the “Law on Preventing Conflicts of Interest,” even though the current law has been recognized as wanting by all relevant international organizations. The legal reform process has also failed to improve witness protection programs in the country. The independence of the State Auditing Agency hasn’t been strengthened nor has an independent body been established to review the ways in which EU funds have been spent.
Nor has a “Report on the Use, Management and Disposal of Assets and Other Goods Belonging to Montenegro” been prepared, which means that the public still does not know exactly the scope of the property owned by the state and how it is being used.
When it comes to criminal prosecutions and sentencing, no property obtained through criminal acts of corruption or organized crime was permanently confiscated by a final court decision – while assets under a million euros were temporarily frozen. The Special Investigations Team conducted only four investigations and two financial investigations throughout 2010.
The Police Administration has failed to draw up an analysis of the crime scene in Montenegro, nor has it prepared a report on the influence of organized crime in the region on Montenegro. Furthermore, it still has not established a National Office of EUROPOL in Montenegro, nor has the police formed a criminal investigations/intelligence unit in all of its branches.
The National Commission for Monitoring the Implementation of the Action Plan has, after three year, finally accepted MANS’ suggestion to open its sessions to the public and allow citizens to submit petitions to this body. It is interesting to note that members of the Commission who had previously voted against MANS’ suggestions have now backed these measures. This has finally created the procedural basis for ensuring that the National Commission can more effectively and actively monitor and coordinate the efforts of all institutions aimed at implementing reforms in the fight against corruption and organized crime.
