Report: Corruption in Kosovo "disturbingly high"
The Kosovo Democratic Institute (KDI) and Transparency International have published a report stating "a disturbingly high level" of corruption in Kosovo.
(KosovoCompromise Staff) Thursday, July 09, 2009
"The situation that has been documented shows the inefficacy of institutions and the court system in Kosovo," states the report. In the last six months, the KDI's Center for Legal Advice has received 75 phone calls regarding possible cases of corruption.
The highest number of cases, 11, were linked to the judiciary, followed by corruption in proceedings regarding ownership rights, with nine.
These were followed by reports of corruption in the school system, inspection and issue of permits in the privatization process, and in health care.
"Of 75 phone calls, we've advised people to address the authorities in 25 cases," said legal adviser Visar Ramaj.
Earlier, similar studies conducted by the UN Development Program also indicated a high degree of corruption.
According to those studies, the biggest culprits were institutions at central and municipal level, followed by the judiciary and health care, while in terms of corruption within the public companies, the worst offenders were the Kosovo Electric Corporation, the Postal Service and Kosovo Telecom.
