In recent days, social networks have spread reports on conflicts of interest in the activities of local government officials.

In particular, public dissatisfaction was caused by the fact that some officials of local authorities use vehicles belonging to some business entities to perform their official duties.

The Anti-Corruption Agency reports the following on this issue.

Article 12 of the Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan ‘On the State Civil Service’ clearly defines the duties of a public civil servant:

• avoid conflicts of interest, be impartial and objective;
• refrain from actions (inaction) that may undermine the authority of a government body or raise doubts about the integrity of the performance of its official duties, including from any form of discrimination, bias or special disposition towards someone in the performance of their official duties;
• not to use his/her official position for personal and other illegal purposes, as well as not to allow illegal influence on his/her official activities, the activities of government bodies, their officials and citizens.

Also, Article 19 of this Law states that a conflict of interest is a situation in which the personal interest (direct or indirect) of a civil servant affects or may affect the proper performance of his/her official powers and in which a conflict arises or may arise between personal interest and rights, the legitimate interests of citizens, society or a government body.

The use by officials of local authorities of vehicles belonging to business entities is contrary to the above rules and causes a conflict of interest.

This, in turn, causes the emergence of corruption risks, the formation of a negative attitude of the general public towards the heads of local authorities and the activities of bodies in general.

In this regard, the Agency sent enquiries to the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, regional, district and city administrations on the need of the publication of information on official vehicles on designated resources and the timing.

In addition, the Agency takes under control the adoption of appropriate measures against officials of all district (city) administrations who have allowed a conflict of interest, including those who use vehicles belonging to business entities in the performance of their official duties.

Press Office

The Anti-Corruption Agency