Prevention of Corruption within the multi-task module

1. Prevention ofCorruption within the multi-task module Experience of KNAB - Latvian Anti-Corruption Agency Bratislava 30 June – 1 July 2009

2. Status of KNAB • Established in late 2002 • Independent institution supervised by Cabinet of Ministers • Multi–functional module Anti-Corruption Agency PREVENTION COMBATING EDUCATION

3. Functions of KNAB in Corruption Prevention • national anti-corruption strategy and programme • implementation of the law On Prevention of Conflict of Interest • analytical work about procedures and practice • recommendations and methodologies for corruption prevention in institutions • legal analysis and drafting to improve framework for prevention of corruption • education on prevention of corruption, law and ethics • information on trends in corruption, detected cases and steps taken to fight corruption

4. Anti-Corruption Policy 2004 - 2008 2009 - 2013

5. National Anti-Corruption Strategy • ensure efficient and legal use of state and municipal property, including financial resources provided by EU and other institutions • improve control over financing of political parties and straighten out the legal process of lobbying • continue prevention of conflict of interest, as wellas improve control over assets and property of public officials • improve internal control systems in state and municipal institutions • decrease tolerance towards corruption, increase the awareness about legal requirements in the area of corruption prevention

6. National Anti-Corruption Programme • translate goals and objectives into measurable activities and operating results • timetable, responsible institutions, financial resources • Programme 2004-2008 → 114 tasks (83,3% completed) • Programme 2009-2013 → 74 tasks (some are mandatory to all state and municipal institutions, more than a half of all tasks are responsibility of KNAB)

7. Analysis of Corruption Risks and Recommendations to Institutions • in normative acts, institutional systems, administrative procedures • identifying risk areas, procedures • information from complaints, investigations, publications, researches • analyzing normative acts, materials of investigation, court decisions, statistical data, organizing interviews, audits and examinations • areas analyzed - public procurement, planning of municipal territories, procedure for leasing out of property of the state, licensing of building etc.

8. Legislation drafting • prevention of corruption risks, improvement of internal control and effectiveness of inspections and investigations • areas - financing of political parties, conflict of interests, leasing state and local government properties, administrative and criminal codes and procedures • conceptions on monitoring of income of private individuals, state financed political parties and regulation of lobbying

9. Results of implementing Anti-Corruption Policy • systematic, integrated, comprehensive activities in all institutions • internal control elements, risk assessment, anti-corruption action plans (90%) • codes of ethics (80%) • training on anti-corruption (64%) • management control over conflicts of interest • regulation of lobbying providing that basic principles of transparency, equity and integrity

10. Problems of implementing Anti-corruption policy • lack of political will and frequent changes of priorities • lack of self initiative from the side of state and municipal institutions and formal approach to implementation of tasks • insufficiency of financial recourses • problems in coordination between institutions implementing common tasks • underestimation of current situation and difficulties to project results of activities • negative reputation of policy documents in society

11. Prevention of Conflict of Interest

12. Enforcement of the Law on Prevention of Conflict of Interest KNAB has duties to: • monitor application of this law and other restrictions in this area • examine declarations of public officials in the framework of this law KNAB has powers to: • issue a warning • apply administrative sanctions • request to return to the state budget revenues received in result of illegal activities

13. Results of Prevention of Conflict of Interest • investigated2536 public officials in the context of allegations of conflicts of interest • administrative sanctions havebeen applied to 532 officials • cash fines totaling LVL 37 646 • 350 officials have been warnednot to violate the law any further • 171 officials have been ordered to reimburse the state for the income earned by violating the law

14. Problems in Prevention of Conflict of Interest • public officials evade the law • capacity of KNAB is effected by large amount of examinations about formal violations of combining officies • lack of monitoring system of the income of private individuals

15. Education and Information

16. Results of informative and educational work • 144 educational and informational seminars for 7000 public officials • more than 10 educational booklets, guidelines or informative materials are prepared • KNAB has been mentioned in more than 18,000 articles in the print media • released 451 press announcements • social advertisement campaign- “Corruption is the Prostitution of the Entrusted Power”

17. Problems of Education • comparatively high tolerance to corruption and negligent attitude to laws in the society • lack of knowledge about the negative outcome of corruption • insufficient financial recourses for educational activities • anti-corruption training is not introduced as obligatory and systematic discipline in the whole state administration

18. From Enforcement to PreventionCase of Riga City Council

19. Ilze Leimane Deputy Head of Public Relations and Education Division ilze.leimane@knab.gov.lv www.knab.gov.lv CORRUPTION PREVENTION AND COMBATING BUREAU OF LATVIA