Latvian Saeima improves KNAB Law in accordance with OECD recommendations

On Thursday, 10 March, Latvia’s parliament approved amendments to the Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau in the final reading. These amendments further improve regulations in regards to the bureau’s work and the order in accordance with which it is possible to dismiss the head of the bureau.

Amendments were developed in accordance with recommendations from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development that were provided to Latvia to better combat corruption, as reported by Saeima press-service.

At the moment, the KNAB Law does not fully comply with OECD recommendations regarding efforts to combat bribery in international business deals, as mentioned in the annotation to the draft.

Regulations clarify the status of the bureau, stating that it is a direct management institution. The bureau’s institutional supervision is realized with mediation from the prime minister. Supervision means the prime minister has the right to inspect the validity of decisions made by the chief of KNAB and cancel illegal decisions. Supervision does not apply to decisions KNAB makes in regards to its functions in combating corruption.

Amendments state that a single person should not be allowed to remain in the post of chief of KNAB for longer than two consecutive terms. The current regulation states that the chief of KNAB is approved by the Saeima based on the Cabinet of Minister’s proposal for five year. The Cabinet of Ministers also holds an open personnel selection process for this.

The draft also states that the chief of KNAB and workers of the bureau will be engaged in state service relations. It is also stated that it will not be possible to end work relations without consent from the trade union.

Amendments also provide recommendations for improving the procedure of dismissing the chief of KNAB. From now on, a special commission led by the prosecutor general will decide whether or not to dismiss the chief of KNAB. This committee will consist of the Director of the State Chancellery, Director of the Constitution Protection Bureau, Chief of Security Police and no more than three representatives of the Public Advisory Council.

Authors of the draft had previously said that dismissal of the chief of KNAB would lonely be possible with justified reasons and with permission from the responsible commission.

BNN 

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