Corruption is still a problem for Croatia

28 June 2013 in Anti-corruption movement, Cost of Corruption, European Union, Politics and government

Croatia becomes EU member number 28 on 1 July. After Tudjman and Milosevic and a bloody war 20 years ago in the Balkans, this is definitely good news for both the European Union and Croatia. The new story of the Balkans started with disintegration 20-odd years ago, but Croatia’s membership is a clear sign of […]

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Waiving immunity lets those in power be held to account

28 June 2013 in Accountability, Politics and government

In late March, a French court ordered an investigation into alleged abuses of power by IMF chief Christine Lagarde during her time as a French finance minister and her involvement in the payment of compensation to businessman Bernard Tapie. Investigators opened an inquiry into possible charges of “complicity to embezzlement of public funds” and “complicity […]

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The Toll of Fraud in Academia

27 June 2013 in Cost of Corruption, Education, Private sector

Higher education has historically provided enhanced opportunities for economic achievement and upward mobility for future generations. But that path to success may be in jeopardy for many because of the increasing costs of earning a university diploma. Moreover, the inflated cost of higher education is being fuelled, in part, by financial fraud and corruption. This […]

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What’s gone wrong in Brazil?

26 June 2013 in Accountability, Americas

The continuing protests in Brazil are a symptom of a lack of political accountability. Politicians may be beginning to hear what needs to be done but there’s a long way to go. Josmar Verillo, vice-president of Amarribo Brasil explains why. Ribeirão Bonito, Brazil, 23 June 2013 – People power may be beginning to have results […]

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What NGOs can do to make sure politicians are clean

25 June 2013 in Civil society, Europe and Central Asia

French politicians will today vote on a law on “transparency in public life”. The law will oblige politicians to publish declarations of interests, although it looks like asset declarations will only be registered with public authorities. Asset declaration rules have been introduced in many countries as a way to enhance transparency and integrity as well […]

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Corruption in post-revolution Yemen – a personal perspective

24 June 2013 in Africa and Middle East, Politics and government

Yemenis of all stripes took to the streets in early 2011 demanding change, especially not to let corruption continue unabated. In November 2011, the protestors succeeded in ousting Ali Abdullah Saleh,Yemen’s president for over 30 years, and ushering in a new era of democratic hope. Since then, governmental agencies, parliamentary committees, media associations, NGOs and […]

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Czech political scandal shows a strengthening of the rule of law

18 June 2013 in Europe and Central Asia, Politics and government

When police raided 31 homes in the Czech Republic last week, seized $7.8 million and arrested five people including the Prime Minister’s chief of staff, it shocked most people. This was not only because of the crimes themselves, as Radim Bureš of Transparency International Czech Republic explains, but because the public prosecutors had carried out […]

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Whistleblowing and leaking: pushing the limits of accountability

14 June 2013 in Accountability, Politics and government, Whistleblowing

The Guardian newspaper has been publishing reports about the US Government’s vast data surveillance operations based on leaks of classified information from someone with top secret clearances. Mark Worth, Whistleblower Programme Director, discusses the role of the leaker in holding governments to account. Edward Snowden, a 29-year-old computer expert, is fast becoming a household name. […]

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G8: It’s time for action on money laundering

11 June 2013 in Access to information, Accountability, Cost of Corruption

The UK Government has announced that transparency and anti-corruption will be key elements at the G8 summit this year. Much needed action on money laundering provides an opportunity to live up to that promise. Corrupt money flows through the UK – in particular through our financial services industry. Nobody knows how much, but it is […]

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