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Anti-corruption law is urged
By GEOFFREY BEW
Published: 29th August 2008
A CALL has gone out for the government to introduce a comprehensive law against corruption.
Bahrain Transparency Society (BTS) president Abdulnabi Al Ekri said the measure would help change relaxed cultural attitudes towards the issue and in particular bribery.
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Anti-corruption law is urged
By GEOFFREY BEW
Published: 29th August 2008
A CALL has gone out for the government to introduce a comprehensive law against corruption.
Bahrain Transparency Society (BTS) president Abdulnabi Al Ekri said the measure would help change relaxed cultural attitudes towards the issue and in particular bribery.
He also urged the government to ratify the UN Convention Against Corruption, which it signed in February 2005, to prove it was committed to tackling the problem.
“We do not have a specific law on corruption,” Mr Al Ekri told the GDN.
“There are articles in the civil and penal code which mention bribery, but corruption is much more than that.
“There is a need for a law that incriminates corruption whether it is financial, political, land grabbing or favouritism in government appointments.”
Mr Al Ekri was speaking after holding separate meetings with Industry and Commerce Minister Dr Hassan Fakhro and senior Information Ministry officials.
He is also seeking discussions with Prime Minister Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander Shaikh Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa and the Royal Court to explain the organisation’s objectives.
“We are trying to pass the message that we are working for the interest of the country, not any political organisation,” said Mr Al Ekri.
“Corruption is endemic and deep-rooted in society and there is a culture that does not consider it as a bribe but as a gift.
“Improving transparency will help the country with the flow of investment and business and a lot of reports published about Bahrain are negative towards this issue.”
Mr Al Ekri revealed the BTS has reached an agreement with the Information Ministry to hold a workshop aimed at improving Gulf journalists’ competency in reporting transparency issues.
He said a tentative agreement had been reached with the Industry and Commerce Ministry to hold a similar event for corporate governors and auditors.
Mr Al Ekri said work was underway on compiling Bahrain’s first national report on corruption in the public and private sectors, which is set for publication next February.
A number of independent candidates, including professional auditors, accountants, journalists and environmentalists, have begun compiling information.
Mr Al Ekri said government ministers and other officials had promised to
co-operate fully with the report’s authors, but said the proof would come in their actions.
geoff@gdn.com.bh
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© Gulf Daily News
http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/story.asp?Article=227569&Sn=BNEW&IssueID=31162
