Civic associations to monitor the work and transparency of the SCPC

“Transparency Macedonia” launched a project on “Monitoring the Work, Effectiveness, Transparency and Accountability of the State Commission for the Prevention of Corruption”, which is to be implemented in partnership with the Institute for Human Rights, and with the support of the British Embassy in Skopje.  

President of the Institute for Human Rights Margarita Caca Nikolovska noted it was very positive that the anti-corruption commission was transparent and the public was informed about each segment of its work.

“The commission is now very busy with work. More attention needs to be paid on bigger cases, not because there are things that shouldn’t be done – everything needs to be done,” Nikolovska pointed out, “but the more substantial cases involving corruption and conflict of interest should be given an advantage.”

Commission president Biljana Ivanovska said the project would be an opportunity to have someone on the outside assess the transparency of the commission. Regardless of the self-criticism, she added, it’s always good to have someone on the outside point to weaknesses.

“It’s good that the start of this project coincides with the start of our work. It will show exactly where we’ve been at the beginning and where we’d be at the end, where we’ve made progress in our work, as well as progress in dealing with the challenges we face including capacity, both material and human,” said Ivanovska.

She added she was content with the work done by the commission so far, as it had been working at full capacity.

Executive Director of “Transparency Macedonia” Ana Janevska-Deleva said the first quarter report would be published in September, for the period between June and August.

A new methodology is developed for the monitoring, resulting from the competencies of the commission arising from the new law. According to Janevska-Deleva, the commission should be fully equipped top be able to suppress corruption and conflict of interest.

The British Embassy’s Deputy Ambassador Dominic Otway said fight against corruption was vital for building a democratic, safe and prosperous society. The role of civil society organizations, he continued, is very important for enabling institutions to work in the interest of the people.