Deterring Corruption in the Republic of Moldova: Civil Society’s Perspective

Public institutions have made significant progress in the anti-corruption activities sponsored by the $24.7 million Threshold Country Program (TCP), financed by the U.S.  Government through its Agency for International Development (USAID.) However, according to the Quarterly Monitoring Report of the Anti-Corruption Alliance (ACA), presented today at 10:00 am at the Jolly Alon Hotel, several institutions fall short of the mark and face serious difficulties in key areas.   For example, in the judicial system, a “Concept on Financing” paper meant to ensure financial independence of the judiciary was developed, but is still waiting for Government approval.  Most of the healthcare reforms set forth under the TCP have been completed.  However, of the activities that remain, many require legislative and institutional changes.  And more than half of the activities planned in the tax reform area are delayed, including an electronic filing system through which citizens and businesses would be able to file their taxes online.   The ACA noted improvements in the reform activities undertaken by the Customs Service.  Most of the 27 planned activities are fully completed.  with the rest to be completed in 2009.  The same is true of the Ministry of Interior’s Internal Affairs which is on track and has implemented 35 of its 39 planned reform activities.   The Center for Combatting Economic Crimes and Corruption (CCECC) has carried out only two thirds of the reform activities designated for it by TCP.  Athough, as a result of reforms already completed, a survey done by Transparency International shows a positive trend in the public’s perception of CCECC in all areas (victimization, spread of corruption, CCECC’s credibility and its employees’ professionalism).   In addition to tracking progress on the reform activities required by TCP, the Alliance also grades the public institutions that are being monitored on how open the institutions are to collaboration with civil society.  For the fourth quarter of 2008, the average score on the Institutional Openness Index was 4.1 with the highest score possible being 5, thus indicating a relatively good working relationship with civil society.   The member organizations of ACA, which contributed to this report are: “EX LEGE“ Agency for Supporting Judicial Education and Law Bodies reports on judicial system reforms; Resource Center for Human Rights (CReDO) monitorshealthcare system reforms; Pro Marshall Center of the Republic of Moldova follows reform activities in the customs system and police; Transparency International (TI) of Moldova watches over reforms in the tax system; and the Center for the Analysis and Prevention of Corruption (CAPC) tracks reforms in the Center for Combating Economic Crimes and Corruption (CCECC). The goal of the ACA quarterly monitoring report is to provide an objective assessment of government performance in implementing the critical TCP anti-corruption reforms, as well as to measure the level of transparency of the TCP institutions being monitored.  The Quarterly Monitoring Report can be found on the ACA web page: www.alianta.md or www.ade.md. For additional information, please contact: Mircea Eєanu, Secretary of the Anticorruption Alliance (ACA) at tel.: 079-473-054 or e-mail: mesanu@eurasia.md. ### The ACA monitoring activities are part of the Strengthening Civil Society Monitoring Capacity in Moldova (SCSMCM) Program implemented by the Academy for Educational Development (AED).  The program is funded by the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) and managed by the US Agency for International Development (USAID) within the framework of the Threshold Country Program (TCP) for Moldova.  The overall program goal is to strengthen the monitoring advocacy capacity of civil society organizations and mass media to help prevent and deter corruption in Moldova.  With funding from the United States Government, USAID provides economic and humanitarian assistance in more than 100 countries to provide a better future for all. With funding from the United States Government, USAID provides economic and humanitarian assistance in more than 100 countries to provide a better future for all.