'Alarming' anti-corruption report: Bosnia’s key state bodies fail to provide data

This alarming finding was revealed today by Ermina Salkicevic-Dizdarevic, First Deputy Chair of the Commission for the Election and Monitoring of the Work of the Agency for the Prevention of Corruption and Coordination of the Fight Against Corruption (APIK).

Speaking at the presentation of the "First Monitoring Report" in Sarajevo, held to mark International Anti-Corruption Day and 15 years of APIK's work, Salkicevic-Dizdarevic expressed profound disappointment.

She highlighted that the list of non-compliant institutions includes the Parliamentary Assembly of BiH, most of the Council of Ministers, the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council (HJPC), the Indirect Taxation Authority, and the Prosecutor’s Office of BiH.

“What is particularly concerning is that these are institutions representing the highest level of authority in BiH, which citizens expect to be guardians of justice and rights,” Salkicevic-Dizdarevic stated, offering her full support to APIK.

APIK Deputy Director Damirka Mioc reminded attendees that the new Anti-Corruption Strategy and its Action Plan were adopted last year. Mioc explained that the monitoring report provides an overview of compliance during the first year of implementation, serving as a guide for future work.

Discussing the overall situation, Mioc noted that BiH’s results on the Corruption Perception Index remain stagnant, "at an average level, similar to other countries in the region.”

Both officials stressed that the fight against corruption cannot be borne by APIK alone, emphasizing that it requires horizontal and vertical coordination across the entire society. Looking ahead, APIK plans to strengthen its focus on prevention by engaging directly with the education system and young people, who are viewed as "key actors in building a healthier society." The OSCE Mission in BiH reiterated its support, particularly through assisting with the development of a new digital monitoring tool.