Free Citizen Hotline Supports HIDAA’s Fight Against Corruption

TIRANA 28 SEPTEMBER 2009 The High Inspectorate of Declaration and Audit of Assets (HIDAA), with the support of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), launched today a television campaign to encourage the public, media and civil society to report cases of hidden assets and real or potential conflicts of interest of elected and public officials.

HIDAA plays an important role in improving governance in Albania by monitoring, investigating and providing guidance and support on asset disclosures and conflicts of interest and regularly refers its investigations to the General Prosecutor’s Office for possible court action.

This initiative follows a successful television campaign carried out in April 2009 that promoted HIDAA’s “Open House” aimed at increasing transparency and the involvement of media, civil society and citizens as part of the agency’s strategy of mutual collaboration.  Hundreds of citizens, media, and civil society attended the Open House to witness the random selection of public officials who will undergo a full audit of their asset declarations.

The present television campaign identifies different ways for concerned citizens to report potential abuse of office by public officials – by telephone, through the free hotline number 0800-9999; through e-mail at unedenoncoj@hidaa.gov.al; and by letter or visit to High Inspectorate of Declaration and Audit of Assets, “Reshit Çollaku” Str., Tirana.

USAID's Rule of Law program works with courts, HIDAA, other oversight institutions, and watchdog organizations to fight corruption in Albania’s public sector.