The AIS organization (promoter of Open Data Albania) has added, published this week new annual asset declarations to the Spending Data Albania database. This is an important step in the process of promoting transparency and monitoring the wealth and economic interests of high-ranking state officials MP, Members of our Government, High level Prosecutors and Judges.
Accessibility of Asset Declarations:
In this database, asset declarations of politicians, high-ranking officials, MPs, Members of the Government, Judges, and Prosecutors for the period 2003 to 2023 have been made accessible.
Anyone can access these annual and initial asset declarations without any restrictions, without the need to identify themselves
This means that the public, citizens, journalists, official on anti-corruption agencies have the opportunity to access full information about the assets, economic interests, and potential conflicts of interest of individuals holding important positions in the state administration.
Content of the Asset Declarations:
The declarations include information on:
- The assets of specific individuals, including real estate (such as houses, land, apartments) and other valuable assets.
- Economic interests, such as investments in companies, shares, and other financial assets.
- Potential conflicts of interest and the influence that these officials may have on decision-making, helping citizens and journalists better understand the economic impacts on public policies.
Benefits of This Access:
- Transparency: The public can track and compare the asset data of specific individuals to assess if their wealth has seen unexpected growth that may indicate abuse of power.
- Monitoring Conflicts of Interest: This may reveal potential conflicts of interest or hidden connections that could influence political decision-making.
- Fighting Corruption: Open data helps prevent and combat corruption by offering the possibility to verify the wealth and its sources.
Red Flag: The Albanian State Institution Responsible for Public Access to Asset Declarations (HINDACI) does not provide it without restrictions, such as:
- the identification of the information requester (ID is requested)
- delay in making the document available
- registration of the information requester (e-Albania)
- detection of the information request
AIS, promotor of Open Data Albania, has created and is maintaining this database as an important Watchdog for Integrity Tool. Journalists and Anti-Corruption Agencies (including the Court and the Prosecutor Office Against Organized Crime and Corruption, GJKKO and SPAK) use documents from our database in their investigative work.
Acknowledgment to the Donor:
The AIS organization has created and maintained this important database through the MATRA Programs of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Tirana 2017 – 2019 and the Swedish Embassy in Tirana for the period 2021-2023.
Although currently facing a lack of funding, AIS is striving to keep this important database online and regularly updated for the Watchdog Culture for Good Governance and Integrity.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank the IT team of our provider that assists AIS (free of charge) in implementing the Security Protocol against Cyber Attacks in the Database, and to emphasize the need for support from Donors and the Embassies of EU countries in Albania.