Anti-Corruption Priorities for Latvia in 2013

Aivars Endzi, Former chairman of the Constitutional Court and Delnas board member Kristne Dupate, Professor at Latvias University, Faculty of Law and Legal Protection for Whistleblowers in Latvia assessment author Inese Voika, chairman of Delnas council Kristaps Petermanis, Delnas director
09.01.2013.

How Delna looks at curbing corruption?

How has Latvia succeeded with priorities defined in 2011 before extraordinary elections?

Priorities set in summer of 2011: achievements

1. Current head of KNAB N.Vilntis must be dismissed 2. Determine a criminal liability for political parties slush funds 3. Repeal closed parliamentary votes 4. Achieve transparency of media ownership 5. Increase the opportunities for the public to participate in decision-making

Priorities set in summer of 2011: under-achievements & failures?

6. Reduce political party dependency on sponsors 7. Repeale deputy immunity 8. Provide more effective law courts 9. Set high standards for the Constitutional Court judge candidates 10.Change the approach of corporate management appointments

Anti-Corruption Priorities of Latvia in 2013

1. A court system thats effective and immunized against delays 2. Uniform and sufficient legal protection framework for corruption whistleblowers 3. Effective anti-corruption agency (KNAB) 4. Transparent and accountable Parliament 5. Freedom of Information Act really implemented 6. Fewer public procurement corruption risks 7. Corruption reduction in local governments 8. Due process and meritbased selection of top officials 9. Effective governance of state- and municipalityowned enterprises and ports 10. Restored reputation of the Constitutional Court

1.

A court system thats effective and immunized against delays

Legislative changes to improve efficiency of the legal process, decrease delays Free courts of non-actionable cases

Fewer appeals for some groups of cases

Wider use of written case procedure Introduction of mediation

2. Uniform and sufficient legal protection framework for corruption whistleblowers

Whistleblower protection legislation for the public and private sectors

Development of internal reporting mechanisms in institutions and enterprises

Financial compensation for the whistleblowers, if a significant public benefit has occurred

3. Effective anti-corruption agency (KNAB)

Work finished on the big cases (Daimler and Riga City Council, Latvenergo and Alstom, Oligarchs case) Sufficient budget, draft reviewed only at parliamentary level

Criminal liability of legal persons

4. Transparent and accountable Parliament (Saeima)

Transparent committee work internet broadcast, registration of lobbyists Establishment of a policy analysis unit States Audit Office audit of Parliaments Administration Audit of Parliaments Garage

5. Freedom of Information Act really implemented

Publication of classified information lists on institutions websites Full transparency, as foreseen by law, when a body uses state or municipal funds or property Supervisory body on laws implementation

6. Fewer public procurement corruption risks

Publication of all contracts (and amendments) online Administrative penalties for violations of Public Procurement Law, supervision by the Public Procurement Office

7. Corruption reduction in local governments

Control of administrative resource misuse before the municipal elections

Selection of all staff based on merit, competitively

8. Due process and merit-based selection of top officials

Establishment of clear, actionable selection criteria Nomination of candidates also by interest groups Assessment of professional and managerial skills Declaration of candidates at least one month before selection

9. Effective governance of state- and municipality-owned enterprises and ports

Implementation of the centralized management model implementation, including substantial transparency and accountability improvements Setting-up of professional boards and councils in all cases Significant improvement of transparency and good governance in ports

10. Restored reputation of the Constitutional Court

Higher criteria for candidate judges (e.g., at least master's degree in law, proven research track record)
Distancing of persons under criminal investigation from Courts decision making