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Nearly 1 in 3 paid a bribe in MENA in a year – Transparency Int’l

Nearly 1 in 3 paid a bribe in MENA in a year – Transparency Int’l
(Photo Credit: Arabianeye-Reuters)

Mubasher: Nearly one in three citizens who attempted to access basic public services in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region paid a bribe, according to a report by Transparency International (www.Transparency.org.)

Governments across the region have failed to hear their citizens’ pleas against corruption, the report highlighted.

A public opinion survey by the international anti-corruption group of nearly 11,000 adults in 9 countries and territories showed that 61% of people across the MENA region think that the level of corruption has increased in the past year.

The 30% who paid a bribe for a basic service represent the equivalent of nearly 50 million people, the report added.

“It’s as if the Arab Spring never happened. Leaders who fail to stop secrecy, fail to promote free speech and fail to stop bribery also fail to bring dignity to the daily lives of people living in the Middle East and North Africa. Peoples’ human rights are seriously affected,” said Transparency International chair José Ugaz.

“Public dissatisfaction with corrupt leaders and regimes was a key catalyst for change in region, notably with Arab Spring protests,” the survey said, adding that five years after the Arab Spring, governments have done little to enforce laws against corruption and bribery.

Governments have not taken enough steps for transparency and accountability through the promotion of freedoms of the press, civil society and for individuals, the report said.

In Lebanon, the report showed alarming numbers of 9 in 10 people or around 92%, who believe that corruption has increased.

The report highlighted that government officials, tax officials and members of parliament were believed to be the most corrupt groups in the region.