Muja refuses to facing Transparency Forum

After two invitations within a month for taking part in the debate “Face-off” with members of the Transparency Forum, mayor of Prizren, Ramadan Muja, has given another proof of the lack of transparency and accountability towards citizens. He has refused to face with journalists and civil society activists for discussing local governance matters.

Refusal to discuss with community groups presents the violation of fundamental principles of transparent and accountable governance by the mayor of the municipality. Moreover, such lock up of the mayor during the preparation of municipal budget for 2015 presents a violation of legal obligations as well. According to the Law on Public Finances, the mayor is also a Municipal Financial Administrator thus he is bound to act in accordance with legal obligations for consultations with the public in relation to the management of public money.

The other legal obligation of the mayor derives from the Law on Local Self-Government, according to which, in addition to public meetings, municipalities are obliged to inform citizens of the municipality on any significant plans or programs of public interest, as governed by the statute of the municipality. The same law stipulates that the mayor represents the municipality and acts on its behalf. Transparency Forum has invited the mayor to provide information and discuss on local governance matters, while his refusal clearly represents a legal violation. Read the Press Release.