Ramallah- Transparency International published for the twenty-fourth year the findings of the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), which provides an annual perception of the relative spread of corruption in 180 countries and territories around the world, as perceived by experts in the public and private sectors. The results every year are compared with previous years relying on thirteen international sources. The Coalition for Integrity and Accountability (AMAN) received the detailed report on the Index findings.
Findings showed general hurdles in anti-corruption efforts in 2018. Analysis of Transparency International showed that corruption escalates the democracy crisis around the world, and results in poor governments, incapable of combatting corruption. This entails the need for more efforts to set controls and criteria for the protection of the rights of citizens. The findings (according to the formula applied by Transparency International, where low scores mean more corruption and high scores means more integrity) showed that the overall average for world countries was 43% while two-thirds of the states surveyed scored less than 50%.
Since 2012, only 20 states have endeavored to improve their results considerably while 16 states showed noticeable deterioration. CPI findings were best in Western Europe with an average score of 55% while sub-Saharan Africa scored the lowest with 32%. Eastern Europe and Asia Minor had a medium score of 35%.
CPI assessed the status of corruption in 22 Arab states, 86% of which scored less than 50%. The number of states with a better score by one or two points compared to last year is higher than the number of states with a deteriorating situation. Still, the improvement is minor and not really significant. Palestine was not listed on CPI for the thirteenth year in a row for non-availability of three sources of key information on CPI at least. Unfortunately, this year as well, the needed sources on Palestine remain non-existent although since 2000, one or more sources have been made available. It should be noted that although Palestine was not listed on the international index, CPI findings on Arab states reflects the situation in Palestine as well. On the other hand, Israel scored 61%, showing one-point relapse compared to last year.
United Arab Emirates and Qatar scored the highest (70% and 62% respectively), followed by Oman with remarkable progress by 8 points compared to previous year, scoring 52% in 2018, compared to 44% in 2017. It is followed by Jordan with 49%, showing progress from last year. It should be noted that nine Arab states maintained the same results on the index as 2017: Saudi Arabia (49%), Bahrain (36%), Djibouti (31%), Lebanon (28%), Mauritania (27%), Comoros Islands (27%), Iraq (18%), Libya (17%) and Sudan (16%).
Other Arab states showed low results although with one or two-point progress. Most of them scored below 50%. They include Tunisia (43%), Morocco (43%), Algeria and Egypt (35%) and Kuwait (41%).
The above findings reveal that Arab states face numerous and various challenges, as shown by their scores. However, they all need transparent effective systems to guarantee accountability. This can be achieved by putting an end to political corruption, which is the key factor behind the spread of corruption. There must be an active political will to fulfill international commitments enshrined in the international conventions and states’ pledges under SDGs, guaranteeing the freedom of opinion and expression and putting an end to pressures exerted against activists, whistleblowers and civil society organizations to enable them play their oversight on public performance, as well as independence of the judiciary to prosecute offenders and restitute embezzled funds.
Internationally, Scandinavian countries like Denmark and New Zealand still lead CPI (89% and 88% respectively). These states have high level of transparency and accountability. The two states with the highest scores have open governments and free press and unrestricted civil society in addition to an independent judiciary. This is reflected in citizens’ ability to fully exercise their civil and political rights.
To the contrary, Somalia, Syria, South Sudan and Yemen scored lowest on CPI, as states with most corruption (10%, 13%, 13% and 14% respectively). The said states are in turmoil and civil wars with extreme instability. As a result, their score on the index is very low. This is associated to impunity of offenders because of weak state institutions and weak public freedoms and absence of good governance.
Countries with high CPI score showed respect of the rule of law, independent supervision over institutions, independence of different media, broad space for civil society organizations to act and express themselves. Countries with low performance on CPI exhibited undermining of the key pillars of democracy, weak civil and political rights, censored press limited to express the opinion of the ruling party and non-separation of powers. Most of these low-performing states have institutions with weak resources and cannot process corruption complaints. Civil conflicts also contribute to the unstable structure of the system and high corruption rates.
The USA has noticeable relapsed on CPI, scoring four points less than previous year (71 points). As a result, it is no longer on the top twenty list for the first time since 2011. The low score comes at a time when the USA is facing threats to its regime not to mention depletion of ethical values at top authority levels. This resulted in citizens’ loss of trust under increased patriotic feelings and crimes of hate, violence and racial discrimination. Brazil scored two points lower than last year, obtaining 35 points, the lowest since seven years. Turkey, on the other hand, scored one point more than last year, obtaining 41 points but this score is nine points less than its level in 2013. This is attributed to monopoly of power, which halts any democratic improvements and may pose the current political leadership to the threat of being out thrown of government or punished for the crimes it commits. Hungary’s score dropped by eight points since 2014, shifting from 54 points in 2013 to 46 points in 2018. The scores show a flagrant retreat in the rule of law and less space for the civil society and independent media to fulfill their roles.
Delia Ferreira, Chair of Transparency International, announced in a special statement, ‘our research shows clear direct relation between sound democracy and success in fighting corruption in the public sector.’ She added, ‘corruption may spread more broadly when democracies are based on fragile foundations and when politicians and opposition abuse of democracy for their own interests, as was the case in many countries.’
To achieve real progress in anti-corruption and democratization efforts worldwide, Transparency International calls upon all governments to: promote the role of oversight institutions, which guarantee checks and balances, and ensure they operate without threats. It calls for supporting the civil society organizations, which foster political participation and public control over government spending, mainly at local level. It also calls for enforcing anti-corruption legislation and supporting independent media while protecting the safety of journalists and increasing their ability to operate without fear or suppression.
Aman Coalition wishes to extend gratitude to its donors and partners: the governments of the Netherlands, Luxembourg, and Norway and congratulates them for their high score on the Corruption Perceptions Index (82%, 81% and 84 % respectively). AMAN is grateful for their trust in its efforts to promote the values of integrity and the principles of transparency and accountability to fight corruption in Palestine.
