ACCOUNTABILITY PROGRAMME IN THE WESTERN BALKANS CROATIA

1
ACCOUNTABILITY PROGRAMME IN THE WESTERN BALKANS -
CROATIA

• Report of the Project Activity
• 26-28 September 2003, Ohrid, Macedonia
• prepared by Zorislav Antun Petrovic, Chairman of
  TI Croatia

2
Chronology of Events/2002-Current

• Late October, launching workshop in Beanec,
  Croatia.
• Snapshot assessment of FOI/COI in Croatia.
• Improvement of COI draft (the law was drafted in
  2001 by TI Croatia members).
• Public awareness/ regular contacts with Ministry
  of Justice.
• Snapshot report on free access to information and
  conflict of interest.

3
Chronology of Events/2002-Current

• March 2003, TI Croatia initiated publishing and
  signing of declaration People have right to
  know.
• May 2003-preparatory activities for survey of
  FOIA and COI undertaking.
• Late May 2003 - survey results were publicized.
• Dissemination of survey results.
• Media Campaign.

4
Chronology of Events/2002-Current

• Late May 2003, TI Croatia experts drafted Access
  to Information Law.
• The draft was presented at the round table
  organized by Croatian Helsinki Committee. TI
  Croatia was partner organization in this
  initiative.
• TI Croatia sent the draft to Croatian Ministry of
  Justice and MPs for further comments.

5
Chronology of Events/2002-Current

• Ministry of Justice accepted TI Croatia draft and
  improved it together with TI Croatia experts.
• July 2003 visit to President of Croatia Mr.
  Stjepan Mesic.
• August 2003 lobbing for COI legislative.
• Beginning of September COI passed two readings in
  Parliament.
• September 18 visit to Prime Minister Mr. Ivica
  Racan

6
Chronology of Events/2002-Current

• September 22 visit to Ambassador of Finland in
  Republic of Croatia his Excellency Mr. Ilpo
  Manninen.
• September 22 - 26, Access to Information
  international seminar-TI Croatia, Open Society
  Croatia and Central European University.

7
Ongoing Activities

• Regulation of Access to Information- two days
  long round table October 10-11th, Zagreb.
• Transparency International Croatia web portal
• E-bulletins.
• Access to Information brochure - to be presented
  at October conference.
• Publishing booklet on research results in two
  languages.
• Half hour long radio show on Conflict of Interest
  and FOI
• Local initiatives -Varadin, Pula, Sisak

8
Challenges Experienced

• Case of Conflict of Interest draft law.
• Public awareness building.
• Capacity building.
• Lack of interest and/or will among MPs for
  adopting COI and FOI.
• Costs and benefits of adopting both laws.

9
Drawbacks

• Changes in the movement eg. two months TI Croatia
  was understaffed. This caused delay in project
  activities.
• Month and a half we were without office,
  performing daily duties in alternative space.
• Problem with finding best market research agency
  for the most affordable price for conducting the
  research caused delay.

10
Achievements

• Media and public attention.
• Two draft laws (FOI and COI) adopted by Croatian
  Government.
• Advocacy activities that resulted in regular
  meetings with senior public officials.
• Partnership with Croatian government on
  evaluation Anti-corruption national strategy.
• First local research in Croatia on public opinion
  regarding conflict of interest, access to
  information and corruption overall.