Civil group presents anti-corruption bill to Abkhaz parliament
The bill prepared by the group offers several concrete measures, including:
• All officials or nominees for public positions are required to have documents confirming the legitimacy of the origin of their property and material assets. This applies to everyone from housekeepers to the president’s office.
• In the declaration on income and expenditures, all officials must indicate not only their income, but also that of all close relatives: parents, spouses, children, brothers and sisters, and even nephews and nieces and their spouses.
• Officials are required to independently prove the legality of the origin of all their property.
• In the event that the declaration of income and expenditure indicates that movable and immovable property, securities and any other assets were received by the official as a gift, then a verification process as to who made this gift will be initiated. A special anti-corruption commission will be formed in such cases to carry out the verification process.
• All individuals holding or nominated for any post that is paid for from the treasury are prohibited from having bank accounts or keeping cash and valuables in banks located outside of Abkhazia.
The initiative group has met with MPs on several occasions in an effort to lobby the bill. Discussions on social media also continue.
“To be right next to the well and not get drunk…?”
“Fighting corruption with the hands of the corrupted themselves have no perspectives by definition. While elite corruption and unspoken agreements to remain silent about crimes still exists in society, everything will remain as is.”
“We need a complete and utter change in the ruling elite, as, for example, took place in Armenia where finally, they have begun putting high-ranking officials into jail and their criminal relatives. Bees can’t get up in arms against honey.”
