<font color='#55563B' size='2'>Thorbjørn Jagland stresses the importance of fighting corruption at grassroots level</font>
Thorbjørn Jagland stresses the importance of fighting corruption at grassroots level
[26/03/2013]
''Today corruption is the biggest threat to democracy. We can find it everywhere… no country is immune'', stated Thorbjørn Jagland, Secretary General of the Council of Europe, addressing the Congress on 19 March. ''If we want to tackle it, we need structural improvements. We have to develop an independent and trustworthy judiciary; we have to ensure that freedom of expression is exercised and that parliaments have an effective oversight over the executive power. You at the local levels have to have bodies that are able to take on these crucial issues,'' he added, stressing the role of local and regional elected representatives. This also involves designing and disseminating instruments and practices which curb administrative discretion in municipalities, as well as reinforcing regional governance and citizens’ participation, he explained.
Thorbjørn Jagland souligne l’importance de lutter contre la corruption au niveau territorial
[26/03/2013]
''La corruption et l’abus de pouvoirs sont les menaces les plus grandes qui pèsent sur la démocratie aujourd’hui. Ce sont des phénomènes que l’on rencontre partout et contre lesquels aucun pays n’est immunisé'', a déclaré le Secrétaire Général du Conseil de l’Europe, Thorbjørn Jagland, s’adressant au Congrès le 19 mars. ''Si l’on veut s’attaquer à la corruption, il faut des améliorations structurelles ; il faut développer un système judiciaire indépendant et digne de confiance ; il faut la liberté des médias et, bien sûr des parlements qui jouent un rôle crucial dans le contrôle du pouvoir exécutif. Vous, aux niveaux local et régional, devez aussi mettre en place des structures qui soient capables d’aborder ces questions essentielles'' a-t-il ajouté en insistant sur le rôle des élus locaux et régionaux. Cela passe aussi par la conception et la diffusion d’instruments et de bonnes pratiques qui permettent de réduire le pouvoir discrétionnaire administratif dans les municipalités, en renforçant la gouvernance locale et la participation des citoyens, a-t-il expliqué.
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''Today corruption is the biggest threat to democracy. We can find it everywhere… no country is immune'', stated Thorbjørn Jagland, Secretary General of the Council of Europe, addressing the Congress on 19 March. ''If we want to tackle it, we need structural improvements. We have to develop an independent and trustworthy judiciary; we have to ensure that freedom of expression is exercised and that parliaments have an effective oversight over the executive power. You at the local levels have to have bodies that are able to take on these crucial issues,'' he added, stressing the role of local and regional elected representatives. This also involves designing and disseminating instruments and practices which curb administrative discretion in municipalities, as well as reinforcing regional governance and citizens’ participation, he explained.