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KNAB |
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The Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau (KNAB) started its work on 10 October 2002, after the Director of the Bureau, Mr. Guntis Rutkis, was appointed by the Saeima (Parliament). Initially the Bureau was under supervision of the Ministry of Justice, but now is under the supervision of the Prime Minister. The Bureau, working together with Prime Minister's Advisers and the Latvian branch of Transparency International, has developed a National Strategy for Preventing and Combating Corruption, which is the basis for elaboration of a National Programme. The aim of the strategy is to promote the trust of the people of Latvia in the rule of law, economic development and prosperity in the formation of an honest, democratic government in which those who have power entrusted to them conscientiously serve the people and are free from corruption. The main priorities of the Bureau are to combat corruption in the state sector, implement corruption prevention efforts, as well as change public attitude towards corruption.
Dr. jur. Aleksejs Loskutovs
1 http://www.politika.lv/index.php?id=105955&lang=lv
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Since
restoration of Latvia's independence in 1991, increasingly
serious attention has been paid to the problem of corruption
prevention and detection. Since traditional law enforcement
institutions have suffered defeat, a political decision
has been made to establish a special agency to prevent
and combat corruption.
The
Bureau uses the Hong Kong ICAC experience to develop its legal acts and
practices in a complex approach for corruption prevention and combating.
Latvian specialists' ideas based on ICAC experience were presented to
the public during a press conference, as well as in Internet publications
"Honkongas
modelis"?"1 ("What does it mean Hong
Kong model, actually?") in Latvian), "Honkongas 
pretkorupcijas komisija"2 ("Hong Kong
Independent Commission Against Corruption" in Latvian). The Bureau has
opened a Report Centre; is implementing activities in the sphere of public
education and creating a rising awareness in attitude towards corruption.
Law amendments have been drafted to widen the scope of anti-corruption
activities in order to include the private sector and to ensure responsibility
for violations by political parties.