TI Georgia has released a statement regarding the creation of the Anti-Corruption Bureau.
As the non-governmental organization explains, the proposed reform does not respond to the 4th recommendation issued by the European Commission, which asks the country to: "Strengthen the independence of the anti-corruption agency bringing together all key anti-corruption functions."
In addition, Transparency International - Georgia clarifies that the planned reform does not include either bringing together key anti-corruption functions, or the creation of a guarantee of real independence, and it does not intend to fight against high-level corruption either.
“The planned reform does not include either bringing together key anti-corruption functions, or the creation of a guarantee of real independence, and it does not intend to fight against high-level corruption either. It implies, only the separation of the functions of the secretariat of the National Anti-corruption Council, which currently exists in the governmental administration, which is not the request of the European Commission. In addition, the announced reform does not respond to the challenges facing the country in relation to corruption.
Therefore, the implementation of the proposed reform cannot be considered as the implementation of the recommendation, which may deprive the country of the possibility of obtaining the candidate status. Therefore, we call on the Parliament and the ruling team to revise the approach they have chosen regarding recommendation 4 and to do everything to ensure that this recommendation is considered implemented," reads the statement.
