Council of Europe supports Kyrgyz institutions in preventing and combating corruption
The event was addressed by Head of Action against Crime Department of the Council of Europe Ivan Koedjikov as well as by Deputy General Prosecutor of the Kyrgyz Republic Lyudmila Usmanova, Deputy Secretary of Security Almazbek Kurmnalaiyev, Charge' d'affaires a.i. of the EU Delegation to the Kyrgyz Republic Johannes Stenbaek Madsen.
The project will last for 24 months with a total budget of EUR 555,556.00. The project is co-financed by the European Union and the Council of Europe, and implemented by the Economic Crime and Cooperation Division of the Council of Europe.
As recognized by the authorities and pointed in several country reports, corruption presents a challenge to the effective rule of law in Kyrgyzstan. The project therefore aims to support authorities in remedying the current situation by strengthening legislative and institutional capacities to prevent and fight corruption, thereby contributing to overall strengthening of rule of law and democracy in the country.
The main beneficiary institutions include authorities with competences over anti-corruption matters in the Kyrgyz Republic: the General Prosecution Office, the Defence Council working groups and its secretariat, the Office of the Government, the Ministry of Justice, the State Personnel Service, the State Service On Fighting Economic Crimes, the Anti-corruption Service of State Committee of National Security, and the Parliamentary Committee on the rule of law, combat crime and anti-corruption.
Project areas
Provide assistance to increase the adherence of the Kyrgyz Republic to the European and international anti-corruption standards. The activities will include trainings on mutual legal assistance; work on mechanisms of corruption proofing, including legislation revision; and assistance on whistle-blowers protection.
Strengthen the capacities of the authorities to design and implement effective anti-corruption strategies and policies. The activities include revision of anti-corruption strategies, development of guidance in institutional policy coordination and elaboration of a corruption measurement methodology at the national level.
Support the development of capacities and skills of judiciary, prosecutorial and law enforcement agencies to efficiently address corruption. This component includes capacity building and skills for the members of judiciary, prosecutorial and law enforcement agencies to efficiently investigate and adjudicate corruption and economic crime related cases. A training of trainers programme will complete the intervention to ensure sustainability.
Increase the anti-corruption public awareness. The action will contribute to increase public awareness on factors leading to and risks and consequences of corruption.
"I am fully aware that this project is not going to eradicate corruption in Kyrgyzstan. I am also aware that corrupt practices are so widespread and endemic in this country that some of the most corrupt officials might even be sitting in this very room applauding when the talk about corruption gets tough. In order for Kyrgyzstan to get there it will however require that millions of citizens change their perception about how the government is supposed to work. When I read in the news that school principals in Bishkek pay USD 30,000 to get their position I realise that Kyrgyzstan is in a vicious cycle which it will take blood, sweat and tears to break. Still, the project we launch today is a very important first step because it helps set a standard that the Government will be obliged to meet if it does not want to risk that the Kyrgyz Republic becomes a pariah state in the international community," Charge' d'affaires a.i. Johannes Stenbaek Madsen stressed at the event.