Dear Reader,
The Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau is one of the newest institutions in Latvia, but it has gained considerable popularity in the society by performing its activities. We are aware that the expectations of the public are also high that we should deliver quick and efficient results in combating corruption, since intolerance towards misuse of public office by officials in their personal interest has accumulated over many years.
Already now we have obtained important results in detecting cases related to political corruption and involving members of the judiciary, as well as in preventing illegal squandering of state or municipal property. Since the Bureau was set up, the risk has increased considerably to be brought to trial for committing corruptive criminal offences or acting in a situation of conflict of interest. In other words, the results achieved in combating corruption have also become an efficient deterrent to corruption.
In pursuing our work, we witness a trend of repeated violations; replacement of one official by another is not a sufficient remedy. Therefore, even more efforts must be given to systemic improvements in the functioning and decision-making processes in the public administration and local governments with the aim of creating conditions that would lessen discretion of public officials.
In the future, the Bureau intends to work more actively in the area of prevention of corruption taking measures to minimize the risks of corruption in state and municipal institutions, including improvement of the existing legal provisions and elaboration of new draft legal acts.
Information and education of the public and public officials will be expanded even more in order to develop shared understanding that corruption has distorting effects on the life of our whole country. Intolerance by all of us against corrupt activities, as well as responsible attitude by each citizen is essential for the reduction of corruption.
Looking forward to consistent support from the public -
Aleksejs Loskutovs
Director
Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau
Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau Public Report 2005 >>>