Anti-corruption strategies: cancer kills Iraq

Perhaps one of the most deadly problems, the hopes and the projects of progress and development not only in developing countries but in the world as a whole is corruption in all its administrative, financial and political aspects. Corruption has put the economy in a position of further deterioration and delay in projects for development, progress and reconstruction. So that the war against it is one of the issues that can no longer be postponed, especially in poor countries or aspiring to achieve development, especially Iraq, as the phenomenon of corruption threatens many societies to stagnation and perhaps collapse. Which requires studying the causes and mechanisms that help to reproduce corruption in all areas of life.

Although Iraq is the second largest oil producer in the world and receives tens of billions of dollars a year from the sale of crude, it is at the forefront of the most corrupt countries in the world until the link of corruption in Iraq is the focus of international institutions before local and regional. The most widespread manifestations of corruption in Iraq are moderation, nepotism, bribery, misuse of the job and position, and assault on public funds. These aspects are not limited to a particular group. They start from senior public and private sector employees to junior employees. This makes combating this scourge very difficult and requires frameworks. A correct and fair methodology away from favoritism and nepotism.

In 2017, Iraq ranked 169 out of 180 countries on Transparency International's corruption index. The Corruption Perception Index classifies countries and territories on the basis of the extent of corruption in their public sector. Iraq scored the highest level of corruption in 2007, ranking 178, while the lowest level in 2003 was 113.

Transparency International uses a scale of zero to 100, which means zero "very corrupt" and 100 "very clean". Below is the number of points Iraq has recorded in the Corruption Index over the past six years.





Levels of Corruption in Iraq - Global Integrity

"The fight against corruption in Iraq is more dangerous than the battle of terrorism." This is what the former Iraqi prime minister (Haider al-Abadi) said after the declaration of the elimination of a preacher in Iraq at the end of 2017. Combating and eradicating corruption strengthens trust in the state apparatus, achieves justice, contributes to economic recovery, and conserves treasury resources for disbursement in the necessary priorities of the state.

Combating corruption is a national duty that every sincere person must contribute to eliminating without prejudice or favoritism because it is a public interest offered to any private interest. Therefore, in this regard, I suggest that every government department has an office of the Anti-Corruption Commission that facilitates citizens to report any corruption And create an atmosphere of trust in the institutions of the state and be a motivation for all state employees to move away from the corruption and avoid it and that we have achieved the goal and the desired goal in the fight against this devastating scourge, which affects the country as a whole.



Strategies to combat corruption in Iraq

In our view, eliminating or eliminating the effects of cancer of corruption in Iraq and laying the foundations for building a sustainable human development society requires the need to adopt six official strategies. These strategies are based on the adoption of the reform strategy, transparency strategy, good governance strategy, Administrative and financial strategy, judicial and legal strategy, modern technological and informational strategy), as well as the issue through which the greatest possible political participation, enjoyment of rights, fair distribution of opportunities Wealth to serve all members of the community. These strategies will be dealt with in some concise fashion.



1. Reform strategy:

Reform is a comprehensive process aimed at political, economic and social changes that increase the effectiveness of society's control over its resources and possibilities and control its conditions by increasing the scope of popular participation in that process. In the context of the reform strategy, let us say that an effective anti-corruption strategy must include the following elements:



- The political will of the leadership:

There is no way to fight corruption, without a rational leadership at the summit. Leaders put in place legislative procedures, enforce laws and demand the performance of duties with confidence without fear or favoritism. And is working to impose severe penalties on violators to prevent corruption.

Public sector reform: Countries with low levels of corruption are those that reform their public institutions such as parliamentary reform, the judiciary and civil service reform. Experience shows that the basis of merit, employment and the promotion of conditions of care and punishment ensures appropriate incentives, creates professionalism and reduces opportunities for corruption. . The importance of specialized anti-corruption agencies and oversight bodies, which are important components of the national anti-corruption strategy, such as the Federation of Chambers of Commerce, the Office of the Inspector-General, the Independent Electoral Commission, the Integrity Commission and the Financial Control Bureau). These bodies must have the professionalism to perform their duties and be independent of political manipulation.



- Legal and judicial reform:

Undoubtedly, purely legal measures can not be fully effective in the fight against corruption, but must form an essential part of a strategy that includes well-functioning legal systems and regulations, as well as the administrative process and the institutions through which they are implemented. This requires an independent legal system, as well as an effective judiciary and accountability protected from political interference.



- Civil society:

The private sector, interest groups, professionals and religious leaders are key players in building alliances against corruption. Independent media play a vital role in educating the public, exposing corruption and building support to fight it.



2. Transparency strategy

Transparency is one of the modern terminology used by the anti-corruption authorities in the world to express the necessity of informing the public and informing them about the policy approach, how the state manages its heads of state, government, ministers and other parts of the state in order to limit the undeclared policies that Is characterized by ambiguity, and the lack of public participation in it clearly.



3. Good Governance Strategy

The concept of good governance refers to the management of public affairs in a specific and rational manner. The definition refers to specific elements and criteria for good governance, including:

- The rule of law: that is, the law is the reference of all, is common and applied to all citizens without exception. The rule of law is achieved through several elements, including: respect for the law and the constitution; and the existence of national democratic institutions that promote the sound foundations of democracy, fair democratic elections, the peaceful transfer of power, the organization of political life and honest competition among political parties.

- Responding to the demands of citizens: that the priorities and concerns of citizens heard and reach the officials in decision-making positions, and that officials respond to them within a suitable time.

- Equality: This criterion is based on equity and equality in the distribution of government resources to citizens without exception, or personal considerations, and that the government is fair and fair when fulfilling its obligations.

- Public interest: any preference for the interest of citizens and society on the personal interest of some individuals, through clear and specific procedures adopted by everyone working in the government.

Participation: Any guarantee of the right of all citizens to express their views and participate in decision-making, whether directly or through elected representatives. Participation requires guarantee for political freedom, elections and expression.

- Decentralization: The concept of decentralization means the absence of absolute powers of any person or body, but the distribution of powers and the ability to take and implement decisions between the authorities. That is to say, the three principal powers (legislative, executive, and judicial) are separate in the exercise of their responsibilities and duties, because in the end these three powers are one unit that seeks to achieve a certain objective, the human right.

Other good governance criteria; rationalization in decision-making, consensus-building, good use of public money and not waste, and sound and good planning in management. These standards are all important means of reducing corruption, and the development and economic development of society. Integrity values, accountability and accountability systems, and transparency principles are the foundation for good governance



4. The strategy of administrative, financial and supervisory systems

It is one of the most important strategies to confront corruption, and the selection of employees on the basis of integrity and efficiency of the most important paragraphs of this strategy to combat administrative and financial corruption, and based on:

- No political interference in administrative, financial and supervisory decisions.

- Activate the role of administrative accountability, the role of financial and supervisory organs and improve the living conditions of employees.

- Forming teams capable of analyzing tasks and achievements, and selecting employees based on integrity and efficiency.

- Defamation of those who have been found guilty in final cases of administrative and financial corruption.

- Reinforcing the concepts and practices of self-censorship and providing the conditions of integrity and safety.

- Media awareness of the dangers of administrative corruption and its damage.

- Requesting data and information officially from various government agencies.

- Conducting surprise inspection visits from senior officials.



Judicial and Legal Strategy:

- The speed of the investigation.

- The issuance of strict provisions against corruption and its perpetrators.

- Activating judicial control over organizations.

- To verify the sources of funds of the suspects and to inform individuals about the need to report the suspects.

- Pursuit of individuals who smuggle their money abroad.



6. Modern technological and informational strategy:

- Use of CCTV cameras in censorship.

- Use of electronic footprint.

- Satellite use.

- Use of alarm systems.

It seems certain that any treatment of the issue of corruption and its fight in Iraq must pass through three official axes that are the responsibility of the legislative, executive and judicial institutions to introduce them:

The first is to expand the circle of transparency, reform, good governance, matter and control, leading to the expansion of popular political participation and the continuation of the development of democratic methods, and the striking of sites and symbols of corruption and prevention of the establishment of centers of power.

The second axis is the reform approach, which includes the concept of reform, ie, the reform of political, economic, administrative and judiciary, and the adoption of the principle of transparency and good governance, and reform (economic, administrative and judicial). This axis is also necessary to combat corruption. As well as to improve the situation of low-income people, especially in public utilities.

Third: Support informal institutions such as civil society organizations, human rights organizations, anti-corruption organizations, and pro-government organizations that help in the fight against corruption. Civil society has an important role to play in combating corruption, through its forms, which constitute a form of organization of societies, for the cooperation of individuals or groups in the economic, social and cultural fields. Civil society organizations have also used the media function to focus on combating corruption through the organization of surveillance networks to prevent waste, as well as the free media that publishes images and posters that help develop the culture of anti-corruption.

There is no doubt that concerted action on the three axes, overlapping and entanglement will have the greatest impact in reducing this phenomenon, while efforts are being made to combat the "culture of corruption" and focus on informal institutions that have a major role in eliminating corruption.

** Dr. Marwan Salem Al-Ali, a professor at the Faculty of Political Science, University of Mosul, specializes in international strategy and relations


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