Those in the business of giving policy advice know the surest way to
guarantee a policymaker ignores their counsel is to say the problem is
“complicated” or “there are no easy solutions” and that the best way to
see the advice is accepted is to cast it in the form of a simple,
straightforward solution that fits easily onto a single power point
slide. World Bank economists have learned this lesson well as their
recent report on how developing countries can cure corruption and
related governance ills demonstrates. Making Politics Work for Development: Harnessing Transparency and Citizen Engagement
manages to state the solution to the corruption problem in one
sentence: Give citizens more information about politicians so they will
know which ones to vote out and which ones to keep at the next election.
Read the full post by Rick Messick in the Global Anticorruption Blog: https://globalanticorruptionblog.com/2016/12/14/are-better-principals-the-answer-to-the-corruption-problem/
Global Anti-Corruption Updates
Thursday, December 15, 2016
From: Ethical Alliance Daily News - 14 Dec 2016
United States: Argentine firm reaches $112.8 million deal with U.S. in FIFA probe
Dec 14, 2016 08:00 pm
U.S. prosecutors on Tuesday
announced an agreement allowing Argentine sports media Torneos y
Competencias SA to pay about $112.8 million to settle charges stemming
from a sweeping bribery probe targeting FIFA, soccer’s world governing
body. The deferred prosecution agreement with...
Thailand:
Swiss national Andre Xavier Justo jailed for 1MDB-linked blackmail
receives Thai royal pardon, likely to be freed before Christmas: Lawyer
Dec 14, 2016 07:30 pm
Dec 14, 2016 07:30 pm
Swiss
national Andre Xavier Justo, who is serving time in a Thai jail for a
blackmail attempt linked to 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), will be
among thousands of Thai and foreign prisoners granted a royal pardon by
King Maha Vajiralongkorn...
A
former mining minister in Guinea was accused by U.S. prosecutors
of laundering bribes he received as part of a scheme to help a Chinese
company win “near total control” of the West African nation’s valuable
mining sector. Mahmoud Thiam, a...
South Korea: Ex-prosecutor gets 4 years for corruption, but cleared of taking bribe from Nexon founder
Dec 14, 2016 06:30 pm
Dec 14, 2016 06:30 pm
A
South Korean lower court sentenced a former senior prosecutor to four
years in prison Tuesday for offering illegal favors to a company in
return for a lucrative business deal for his relative. But Jin
Kyung-joon was acquitted of a...
Palm
oil giant Olam has been accused of using suppliers that may use
unsustainable practices in parts of Southeast Asia. The claims against
the agricultural commodities trader were made in a report by Mighty, a
US-based environmental lobby group. Mighty...
The
office of Peru’s attorney general has reopened a corruption inquiry
into whether President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski helped a Brazilian company
win public work contracts while he was prime minister a decade ago,
legal documents showed on Tuesday. The anti-corruption...
Wednesday, December 14, 2016
From: Transparency Intrernational - Daily Corruption News - 13 Dec 2016
13 December 2016
Today's top story
South Korea: Former South Korean prosecutor gets 4 years for corruption
AP
A South Korean court on Tuesday sentenced a former senior prosecutor to four years in prison for pressuring a Korean Air executive to channel about 14.7 billion won ($12 million) in corporate deals to a contractor run by his brother-in-law.
AP
A South Korean court on Tuesday sentenced a former senior prosecutor to four years in prison for pressuring a Korean Air executive to channel about 14.7 billion won ($12 million) in corporate deals to a contractor run by his brother-in-law.
More news
Australia: Victorian police sold illegal drugs, corruption report finds
The Guardian China: Hong Kong officials arrest 29 in bank corruption investigation South China Morning Post Greece: Report: More must be done to fight party corruption ekathimerini Indonesia: Forest governance needs to improve, NGOs say Jakarta Today Portugal: Portugal investigates suspected corruption in plasma trade Fox Business |
Blogs and opinion
Global: Tackling corruption together: A call for collaboration
Huffington Post Romania: Romania shows how wars on corruption get old Bloomberg View |
News from Transparency International
|
From: Ethical Alliance Daily News - 13 Dec 2016
France: IMF chief Lagarde on trial in France over tycoon case
Dec 13, 2016 08:00 pm
IMF chief Christine Lagarde went on trial in France on Monday
(Dec 12) over a massive state payout to a flamboyant tycoon when she
was finance minister, in a case that risks tarnishing her stellar
career. Lagarde denies the charges...
Hong Kong: Hong Kong arrests 29 in bribery probe linked to five financial institutions
Dec 13, 2016 07:30 pm
Dec 13, 2016 07:30 pm
A
total of 29 current and former staff of five financial instutitions,
including four banks, have been arrested in Hong Kong for alleged
bribery related to the disclosure of confidential customer information,
the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) said on...
The
60-year-old Democratic Congressman represented the state of
Pennsylvania for 22 years, and was one of Congress’ most senior black
lawmakers. The penalty was handed down by a federal judge in
Philadelphia, the city that he represented until June 2016....
South Korea’s ruling Saenuri Party said Monday
it will punish President Park Geun-hye over a corruption scandal
involving her and her confidante regardless of a separate investigation
into the case. The party’s central ethics committee made the decision
after reviewing...
Brazil’s top prosecutor brought new charges against Senate President Renan Calheiros on Monday,
accusing him of taking part in corruption at state oil company
Petrobras a week after he was nearly removed in an earlier embezzlement
case. Prosecutor General Rodrigo...
Ghana’s
President-elect Nana Akufo-Addo says he will set up a special team to
investigate corruption but said it would not be a “witch-hunt”. He said
his government would distance itself by allowing an independent
prosecutor to investigate cases and make...
Tuesday, December 13, 2016
International Anti-Corruption Day: recognizing excellence in combatting corruption
9 December 2016 - Marking International
Anti-Corruption Day, the inaugural Sheikh
Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani Anti-Corruption Excellence Award was presented
today in Vienna to recognize significant global efforts to combat corruption.
At a ceremony attended by His Highness, the Emir of the State of Qatar,
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, the Attorney-General of Qatar, Dr. Ali Bin
Fetais Al Marri, and the UNODC Executive Director, Yury Fedotov, awards were
presented in four categories: innovation, research, youth creativity and lifetime
achievement.
The Award, established by the Rule Of Law and Anti-corruption
Center (ROLACC), is designed to support UNODC's anti-corruption
mandate and highlight the importance of tackling corruption. It also seeks to
encourage the implementation of the United Nations
Convention against Corruption as the world's only legally binding
international anti-corruption treaty.
Coinciding with this event, a sculpture representing
efforts in tackling corruption was also unveiled at the United Nations in
Vienna. The structure, donated by Qatar, joins a range of other works situated
around the UN grounds which highlight the varied work of the Organization. The
sculpture is of a large hand, depicting the urgency of stopping corruption and
saying "no" to this crime.
The Award itself is aimed at showcasing creative and
outstanding achievements of anti-corruption efforts from across the globe and
acts as both a tool to honour those who have shown dedication to tackling
corruption and as an inspiration to others to replicate similar efforts.
Commenting on this at the opening of the Award ceremony, Dr. Al Marri noted,
"This is an important and far reaching initiative, and it requires
committed and courageous people who have the determination to fight corruption
at all levels. To the Award winners, I hope that this award will inspire and
support you, and others, to continue the fight against corruption".
Qatar's efforts to drive crime prevention and the rule
of law was evidenced through the support given to the Doha Declaration adopted
at the 13th Crime Congress last year and translated into a wide-ranging Global
Programme which is being undertaken through to 2020.
Highlighting the ever-pressing need to work towards
tackling corruption, and offering his congratulations to the recipients whose
efforts reflect this, Mr. Ban said: "As a strangling root that reaches
deep into all our societies, corruption chokes hopes and frustrates
opportunities. It enables the few to prosper at the expense of millions who are
left behind. Through their courage, today's award recipients are delivering a
clear message that corruption is incompatible with fair and ethical
societies".
Pointing to the actions taken by the Award recipients,
as well as people from all walks of life, Mr. Fedotov spoke on the importance
of inclusive efforts to tackle corruption: "Together, the public and
private sectors, international and regional organizations, financial
institutions and civil society, must stand united against corruption in all its
forms". He also referenced the new, multi-year International
Anti-Corruption Day theme officially launched today - #UnitedAgainstCorruption
- and spoke of the centrality of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
"The 2030 Agenda has given fresh impetus to the battle against corruption
by recognizing that anti-corruption action is essential to end poverty; ensure
quality education, promote decent work and economic growth; and protect natural
resources".
The 2016 Award winners are:
- The Anti-Corruption Lifetime Achievement Award (recognizing noteworthy and outstanding contributions made to support the global fight against corruption). Presented to Thelma Aldana (Attorney General of Guatemala);
- The Anti-Corruption Academic Research Award (looking at academic research in the area of anti-corruption). Shared by Miodrag Labovic (Professor of Law at the Faculty of Security at Skopje, and founder of the NGO Mission Center for Anti-Corruption and Justice); and Groupe De Recherche Corruption & Démocratie (CORDÉ) (a joint research network between the University of Montreal, the University of Toronto, the Sorbonne University, the Catholic University of Lille and the Catholic University of Central Africa).
- The Anti-Corruption Youth Creativity Award (focussing on projects designed and led by young people and, where applicable, supported by civil society organizations). Shared by Anti-Corruption Youth Greece (a movement 'by young Greek people for young Greek people' which is currently looking to tackle corruption in sports and migration-related corruption in the Mediterranean region); and TM Music (a Tanzanian NGO, composed of young singers, that use the power of song to raise awareness and drive home an anti-corruption message); and
- The Anti-Corruption Innovation Award (offering recognition and appreciation to innovative approaches and prominent contributions to the prevention of and fight against corruption). Shared by ARTLORDS (an Afghan grassroots movement of artists who use street art in the form of mural paintings to raise awareness against corruption); and Hanan Khandagji (a Palestinian investigative journalist, who worked undercover to investigate the abuse of children with disabilities in private facilities, which led to significant reforms and prosecution of corruption cases).
Source: http://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/frontpage/2016/December/international-anti-corruption-day-recognizing-excellence-in-combatting-corruption.html
On International Day, UN urges world to stand united against corruption
9 December 2016 – No country is immune, and every country bears a responsibility to end corruption, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said today, warning that corruption is a “broad barrier” in the path to world's achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
“Corruption strangles people, communities and nations. It weakens education and health, undermines electoral processes and reinforces injustices by perverting criminal justice systems and the rule of law, the Secretary-General said in his message to mark International Anti-Corruption Day.
By diverting domestic and foreign funds, corruption wrecks economic and social development and increases poverty. “It harms everyone, but the poor and vulnerable suffer most.” he added.
Mr. Ban also highlighted the theme of this year's observance: 'Corruption: An impediment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),' adding that implementation of the UN Convention against Corruption should not be the only step taken to resolve the issue.
“On International Anti-corruption Day, let us reaffirm our commitment to ending the deceit and dishonesty that threaten the 2030 Agenda and our efforts to achieve peace and prosperity for all on a healthy planet,” stated the Secretary-General.
In a separate statement Yury Fedotov, Executive Director of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) explained that the G20 estimates that $90 trillion in infrastructure investment is required between 2015 and 2030 to support global growth and development. “If we do not unite to successfully eliminate corruption, we risk economic growth being slowed and prosperity muzzled.”
He called for a “wholehearted and determined” contribution to global anti-corruption efforts from the world's public and private sectors, and noted that the 2030 Agenda's Goal 16, on peaceful and inclusive societies, seeks substantial reductions in corruption and bribery. And in that regard, UNODC has created a comprehensive approach that includes the UN Convention and its “cutting edge” peer review mechanism.
Mr. Fedotov said that at the local level, UNODC works with countries to offer technical advice on invaluable legislative reform and to help build capacities in the area of law enforcement and successful prosecutions.
Finally, he invited all countries to join the joint UNODC-UN Development Programme (UNDP) campaign focusing on how corruption affects education, health, justice, democracy, prosperity and development.
“Corruption strangles people, communities and nations. It weakens education and health, undermines electoral processes and reinforces injustices by perverting criminal justice systems and the rule of law, the Secretary-General said in his message to mark International Anti-Corruption Day.
By diverting domestic and foreign funds, corruption wrecks economic and social development and increases poverty. “It harms everyone, but the poor and vulnerable suffer most.” he added.
Mr. Ban also highlighted the theme of this year's observance: 'Corruption: An impediment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),' adding that implementation of the UN Convention against Corruption should not be the only step taken to resolve the issue.
“On International Anti-corruption Day, let us reaffirm our commitment to ending the deceit and dishonesty that threaten the 2030 Agenda and our efforts to achieve peace and prosperity for all on a healthy planet,” stated the Secretary-General.
In a separate statement Yury Fedotov, Executive Director of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) explained that the G20 estimates that $90 trillion in infrastructure investment is required between 2015 and 2030 to support global growth and development. “If we do not unite to successfully eliminate corruption, we risk economic growth being slowed and prosperity muzzled.”
He called for a “wholehearted and determined” contribution to global anti-corruption efforts from the world's public and private sectors, and noted that the 2030 Agenda's Goal 16, on peaceful and inclusive societies, seeks substantial reductions in corruption and bribery. And in that regard, UNODC has created a comprehensive approach that includes the UN Convention and its “cutting edge” peer review mechanism.
Mr. Fedotov said that at the local level, UNODC works with countries to offer technical advice on invaluable legislative reform and to help build capacities in the area of law enforcement and successful prosecutions.
Finally, he invited all countries to join the joint UNODC-UN Development Programme (UNDP) campaign focusing on how corruption affects education, health, justice, democracy, prosperity and development.
Corruption’s Gendered Double Standard
On November 8, 2016 the United States almost elected Hillary Clinton
as its first female president. But, if Donald Trump and many of his
supporters were to be believed, Secretary Clinton was also one of the
most corrupt politicians of all time. This argument appears to have
swayed many American voters, who ended up electing Donald Trump (who
might actually be the most corrupt person recently elected to the presidency, see here, here, and here).
That Trump’s unprecedented accusations of corruption were leveled
against the first female presidential candidate nominated by a major
political party was not a coincidence.
Read more by Travis Edwards, in the Global Anticorruption Blog: https://globalanticorruptionblog.com/2016/12/12/corruptions-gendered-double-standard/
Read more by Travis Edwards, in the Global Anticorruption Blog: https://globalanticorruptionblog.com/2016/12/12/corruptions-gendered-double-standard/
From: Transparency International - Daily Corruption News - 12 Dec 2016
12 December 2016
Today's top story
Global: Christine Lagarde, I.M.F. Chief, on trial in France over misuse of public money
The New York Times
Christine Lagarde, the managing director of the International Monetary Fund, went on trial in Paris on Monday, facing criminal charges of negligence resulting in the misuse of hundreds of millions of euros in public money when she was France’s finance minister.
The New York Times
Christine Lagarde, the managing director of the International Monetary Fund, went on trial in Paris on Monday, facing criminal charges of negligence resulting in the misuse of hundreds of millions of euros in public money when she was France’s finance minister.
More news
Global: LuxLeaks whistleblowers appeal jail sentences in Luxembourg court
France24 Ghana: Nana Akufo-Addo: Ghana corruption probe 'not witch-hunt' BBC News Kenya: Kenyan police use tear gas to disperse rally against graft Associated Press Romania: Romania's war on corruption got old Bloomberg South Africa: Corruption Watch lays criminal charges against Moyane, 2 other Sars officials Eyewitness News (TI mention) |
Blogs and opinion
|
News from Transparency International
|
From: Ethical Alliance Daily News - 12 Dec 2016
Latin America: Brazil bribery probe hits projects in other countries: report
Dec 12, 2016 08:00 pm
Construction
projects in at least six Latin American countries have been impacted by
a major Brazilian corruption scandal that saw companies pay bribes for
contracts, a regional investigation showed Sunday. Progress in “Operation Car Wash” — a massive probe into...
Only
162 out of 1.6 million civil servants have lodged reports on corruption
with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), an MACC official
said today (December 9 2016). MACC deputy chief commissioner
(prevention) Datuk Shamsun Baharin Mohd Jamil said the agency...
A five-member bench of the Pakistani Supreme Court headed by Chief Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali on Friday
adjourned to the first week of January 2017 the hearing of Panama leaks
case related to allegations against Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and...
The
agency representing Cristiano Ronaldo has published details of the Real
Madrid forward’s assets held overseas as evidence that he has paid all
his taxes, with the former Manchester United player declaring an
astonishing £191m in 2015. Last week GestiFute,...
China’s
difficulties in bringing home graft suspects who fled abroad have
prompted tighter measures against illegal moves of capital and people
beyond its borders, the government said on Friday (December 9, 2016). China has sought to build international cooperation in...
An amendment to the Money Laundering Control Act (洗錢防制法) was passed by the Legislative Yuan on Friday
(December 9 2016), widening the scope of professions required to report
any suspicious financial transaction by their clients to the
authorities. According to...
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