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Bosnia and Herzegovina citizens consider corruption unacceptable but rampant
SARAJEVO 26 October 2000
SARAJEVO, 26 October 2000 - Voters in Bosnia and Herzegovina believe that corruption is widespread, but should not be tolerated as a normal part of political life.These were the sentiments expressed by 3,500 citizens polled by the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The vast majority of those polled, 68 percent, said that they think all or nearly all Bosnia and Herzegovina politicians are corrupt. When asked to compare Bosnia and Herzegovina to other European countries, 69 percent of those polled said that corruption was more prevalent in Bosnia and Herzegovina. When asked how corruption had affected them personally, a majority said that they, as individuals, had been directly affected by corruption.
"These statistics illustrate that not only do voters recognize corruption, they know that they are the ones paying the price," said Ambassador Robert L. Barry, OSCE Head of Mission. "As November 11 approaches, I hope that voters will think about corruption's stranglehold on this country, and vote for education, for jobs, for foreign investment - and for the future."
While they may believe that corruption is widespread, most voters do not find it acceptable. Only 19 percent of voters view corruption as an inevitable part of politics. 81 percent of respondents said that something can be done to prevent corruption - ranging from "a little bit" (35%) to improving it "tremendously" (17%). In addition, when asked whether corruption was never, occasionally, sometimes or often acceptable, 62 percent of respondents said that corruption is never acceptable. And when asked whether they would, themselves, engage in corrupt activities, citizens overwhelmingly responded that they would not.
The poll was conducted in conjunction with the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina's anti-corruption campaign, Nadglasjte Korupciju.
For more information, contact OSCE Spokesperson Luke Zahner at ++387/ (0) 33/292-222 or ++387 (0) 66/144-311.
The OSCE established its present Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina on 18 December 1995. In accordance with the General Framework Agreement for Peace (GFAP), the OSCE Mission activities are to: promote Democratization and the building of a vibrant civil society, foster the development of professional journalism and monitor the rights of journalists, monitor and advance the Human Rights situation, supervise the conduct of Elections, and encourage Regional Stabilization through arms control and confidence and security-building measures. The OSCE Mission continues to work closely with other international organizations and local institutions to implement the Dayton Peace Accords.
The vast majority of those polled, 68 percent, said that they think all or nearly all Bosnia and Herzegovina politicians are corrupt. When asked to compare Bosnia and Herzegovina to other European countries, 69 percent of those polled said that corruption was more prevalent in Bosnia and Herzegovina. When asked how corruption had affected them personally, a majority said that they, as individuals, had been directly affected by corruption.
"These statistics illustrate that not only do voters recognize corruption, they know that they are the ones paying the price," said Ambassador Robert L. Barry, OSCE Head of Mission. "As November 11 approaches, I hope that voters will think about corruption's stranglehold on this country, and vote for education, for jobs, for foreign investment - and for the future."
While they may believe that corruption is widespread, most voters do not find it acceptable. Only 19 percent of voters view corruption as an inevitable part of politics. 81 percent of respondents said that something can be done to prevent corruption - ranging from "a little bit" (35%) to improving it "tremendously" (17%). In addition, when asked whether corruption was never, occasionally, sometimes or often acceptable, 62 percent of respondents said that corruption is never acceptable. And when asked whether they would, themselves, engage in corrupt activities, citizens overwhelmingly responded that they would not.
The poll was conducted in conjunction with the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina's anti-corruption campaign, Nadglasjte Korupciju.
For more information, contact OSCE Spokesperson Luke Zahner at ++387/ (0) 33/292-222 or ++387 (0) 66/144-311.
The OSCE established its present Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina on 18 December 1995. In accordance with the General Framework Agreement for Peace (GFAP), the OSCE Mission activities are to: promote Democratization and the building of a vibrant civil society, foster the development of professional journalism and monitor the rights of journalists, monitor and advance the Human Rights situation, supervise the conduct of Elections, and encourage Regional Stabilization through arms control and confidence and security-building measures. The OSCE Mission continues to work closely with other international organizations and local institutions to implement the Dayton Peace Accords.