9 December, 2020
Technical staff
December 4, 2020
On the ninth of December every year, the world celebrates the International Anti-Corruption Day. Since the launch of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) in 2005, the United Nations and countries celebrate this day. But what do countries celebrate?
Celebrate Achievement
Many countries conduct mere ceremonial conferences, speeches, or social gatherings to show their commitment to fighting corruption. They focus on the form rather than the content. It is not unusual to witness these celebrations in countries where corruption is on the rise. Countries should celebrate their achievements in fighting corruption. They should celebrate their failure and success. They should institutionalize fighting corruption in all economic sectors and adopt the Ten Principles of Fighting Corruption promulgated and adopted by The American Anti-Corruption Institute (AACI).
The minimum threshold of the standard of transparency is to publish publicly the results of fighting corruption over the past 12 months. If a country does do that, the public assertion on fighting corruption is FAKE and EMPTY. Many countries’ top officials frequently do. However, as time goes by, corrupt people and politically exposed persons shall be brought to justice: no statutes of limitations. Certain corruption results in damages that ruin many people’s basic human rights.
The International Community
It is time for countries to institutionalize the fight against corruption and engage effectively the youth, the leaders of tomorrow. We call on the international community to monitor its assistance, loans, and investments in countries where corruption prevails. We also call on international lenders not to lend to countries where corruption is the norm rather than the exception. Otherwise, they will be part of the problem.
Finally, we call on each country’s leadership, especially those of developing countries, to declare real and authentic ware against corruption. We look forward to celebrating with them on December 9, 2021, their failure and success.
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