Increased number of corruption reports in BiH, citizens increasingly seeking help

(Patria) - During 2024, the Center for Legal Aid of Transparency International in Bosnia and Herzegovina (TIBiH) acted on 391 new cases based on citizen reports, which represents an increase of 8.1% compared to the previous year.

The rise in the number of cases and citizen reports indicates an increasing prevalence of corruption, confirmed by the findings of the Corruption Perception Index (CPI), according to which BiH is the second most corrupt country in Europe, but also an increase in citizens' trust in the effectiveness of the legal aid provided by TI BiH.

TI BiH responded to 1694 calls via the free hotline 0800 55555, and in 2024, 377 cases were initiated based on citizen reports, while 14 cases were initiated by the Center. As in previous years, the largest number of reports related to the public administration sector (166), followed by the judiciary (36), education (33), and healthcare and conflict of interest (26 reports each).




The Center's work has also yielded concrete results in the actions of judicial institutions. The Federal Prosecutor's Office of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina accepted two complaints from TI BiH, overturning previous decisions not to investigate the case of rigged tenders at the Oriental Institute of the University of Sarajevo, as well as the decision of the Cantonal Prosecutor's Office of SBK not to investigate the non-payment of concession fees worth over 1.7 million KM.

A significant part of the Center's work related to the protection of the right to access information, and 32 administrative lawsuits were initiated due to violations of the Law on Freedom of Access to Information, which is the highest in the past four years, confirming earlier findings of TI BiH that public bodies show a unsatisfactory level of transparency and protection of public interest.

Two cases relate to the withholding of information by the Prosecutor's Office of BiH regarding cases involving individuals sanctioned by OFAC and investigations into criminal offenses of corruption. TI BiH won 16 cases initiated in previous years, granting citizens and journalists access to information that was previously denied.

Based on TI BiH's representations, the Institution of the Ombudsman for Human Rights of BiH issued four recommendations, and three criminal complaints for corrupt criminal offenses were filed with the competent prosecutor's offices. Additionally, the Center filed four appeals with the Constitutional Court of BiH, and one appeal from the previous year was accepted, confirming a violation of the right to a trial within a reasonable time.

Institutional responses and court decisions in cases initiated by TI BiH confirm the need for further reform of appointment and conduct practices in public institutions. Thus, among other things, the Commission for the Prevention of Conflict of Interest of Republika Srpska decided that a councilor and acting assistant minister in the Government of Republika Srpska are in a conflict of interest, and the judgment of the District Court in Banja Luka confirmed that the acting position carries the same obligations as a permanent position.

Also, the RS Appeals Commission annulled the decision to suspend the proceedings against the advisor to the President of Republika Srpska due to a possible incompatibility of functions, which opens the door for further action on this report.



TI BiH submitted three reports to the Central Election Commission, pointing out the performance of incompatible functions and violations of the Election Law of BiH. In 2024, a total of 26 cases in the area of conflict of interest were recorded, which shows that institutions are still insufficiently committed to combating corruption risks in this area.

The Center for Legal Aid of Transparency International in BiH continues to be a key player in the fight against corruption during 2024, providing concrete legal protection to citizens, as well as initiating systemic changes that contribute to greater accountability and transparency of institutions.