Anti-Corruption and Public Integrity
The Anti-Corruption and Public Integrity program in Romania is conducting a comparative analysis of the legislative framework on illicit enrichment and unjustified wealth. Previous work on anti-corruption and government transparency has focused on the implementation of money-laundering legislation and the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).
In its fight against high level corruption, the government of Romania has ratified several European and international legal instruments and adopted domestic laws with a view to implement effectively these instruments. However, efforts in combating corruption continue to fall short of public expectations. In particular government efforts are undermined by numerous cases of present and former public officials as well as business men who have accumulated wealth well in excess of what appears to be reasonable, considering their known sources of income.
The ABA is conducting a preliminary study and analysis of Romanian legal instruments, in the context of international standards and comparative good practices from other countries. The report will provide an initial informational basis and expert input for possible eventual amendments to the current legal framework governing proceeds of corruption, asset declaration, and illicit enrichment. The report will also address controversial issues regarding burden of proof and unjustified wealth, and analyze the recently adopted legislation on the National Integrity Agency (ANI) and its subsequent amendments. In April 2007, the ABA brought an expert to Romania to conduct in-country interviews. The expert will draft a report, to include recommendations for enhancing the effectiveness of Romanian laws and institutions governing this area. A final version of the report will be distributed to the relevant Romanian authorities and interested international parties.
In October 2005, the ABA conducted an informational seminar to exchange perspectives, documents, and lessons learned and to discuss priority issues on implementation of money-laundering legislation in Romania in October 2005 in Bucharest. The ABA has conducted follow-up activities to the seminar, including working group discussions that bring together international experts, reporting agents and representatives of the National Agency for the Prevention of and Fight against Money Laundering. These sessions focused on drafting internal and interagency procedures to improve implementation of the law.