People often think that corruption is "just a way of life", but every society, sector and

individual would benefit from saying "NO" to this crime.

Here are some eamples of how you can say "NO" to corruption. !ollow this link for a
complete "all to #ction $atri.
%atify and enact the &N "onvention against "orruption.
"ountries that successfully attack corruption are far more legitimate in the eyes of their
citi'ens, creating stability and trust.
(now what "onvention re)uires of your government and its officials.
%ooting out corruption allows social and economic development.
*ducate the public about the government+s responsibility to be corruption,free.
*)ual and fair justice for all is a crucial element for a country+s stability and growth. -t
also helps to effectively fight crime.
%aise awareness with the public, media and government about the costs of corruption
for key services such as health and education.
#ll of society benefits from functioning basic services.
*ngage the youth of your country about what ethical behavior is, what corruption is and
how to fight it, and to demand their right to education.
*nsuring that future generations of citi'ens are brought up to epect corruption,free
countries is one of the best tools to ensure a brighter future.
%eport incidents of corruption.
"reate an environment where the rule of law prevails.
%efuse to participate in any activities that are not legal and transparent.
-ncreases both domestic and foreign investment. *veryone is more willing to invest in
countries when they see that funds are not being siphoned off into the pockets of corrupt
officials.
!oster economic stability by enforcing 'ero,tolerance practices towards corruption.
# transparent and open business community is a cornerstone of any strong democracy.
"orruption is also playing a role in stimulating violence and internal insecurity, as it
shrivels the prospect of government supplying people with basic services, opportunities,
rights and entitlements. #s a result, people choose to remain silent on internal conflict
and do not support the state in handling crises. !urther, people also opt not to participate
in governance. -n this sense corruption weakens people.s democracy and creates space
for authoritarian rule.
/here are also problems associated with the planning and allocation of resources that
are conditioned by the institutional gaps and defects associated with systems of power in
society. -n the development of policies and their implementation, serious ine)ualities in
the distribution of basic resources often affect the structural issues that engender
conditions enabling corruption. On the other hand, in the struggle for the eradication of
corruption, obstacles arise due to political and social factors that are associated with
ine)ualities imbedded in society. /herefore, realisation of the basic human rights of
persons, promotion of the rule of law and achievement of democratic rights in countries
of the region are all very much linked to the problems of eradication of corruption.
*radication of corruption as a human rights issue

/he treating of eradication of corruption as a human rights issue speaks to the
fundamental indivisibility of socio,economic rights and civil and political rights. -n all
problems associated with corruption, whether in the form of land grabbing, corrupt
development projects, deaths caused by corrupt practices in health institutions or
otherwise, our countries lack good policing, independent investigative agencies and well,
functioning justice institutions that can meet the needs and epectations of people.
0uestions of illegal arrest and detention, denial of access to justice and denial of fair trial
are often associated with the unaffordability of justice, which is also associated with
problems of corruption that beset institutions for the administration of justice, particularly
the police, prosecution services and judiciary. /he right to life is deeply affected by
problems created through institutional malpractices that are the result of deeply corrupt
practices within society. #mong the people who face these problems in the most acute
way are more vulnerable groups such as women and children, and minorities.
Historical and contemporary causes of corruption
/he root causes of corruption are the histories of our society.s feudal social structures as
well as the problems created during long periods of colonial rule. /he development of a
basic institutional framework for our societies has been affected by these historical
problems and in many of our countries these problems need to be resolved in an attempt
to deal with the demands of the times and in order for the societies to develop with a
framework of rule of law and democracy. /he realisation of people.s aims in modern
circumstances re)uires attempts to understand these historical problems and find
strategies to deal with them by developing institutions that are relevant to the conditions
of our societies in order to ensure e)uality among all sections of the population and
stability through the practice of democratic norms and standards.
!eudal traditions are continued through patronage politics, which are a feature of many
countries in the region. Party political systems are often organised on the basis of
patronage of one or a few powerful persons. /he party systems are often controlled
without any kind of observance of democratic norms relating to the relationship between
party members and the development of party leaderships. Often there is an inherent
system of corruption within the party structure itself. 1ithin the party often there is no
transparency in relation to funds and power relationships. /op party leaders are not
accountable to their party members and to the inner structure of the party. /he inner
structure of the party is often developed in a manner to eliminate fair competition. /he
leadership of some is protected for a lifetime, and family members or very close
associates whom the leaders nominate often become their successors.
/he absence of democracy within the political party system affects the political system
as a whole. /he lack of healthy development of leadership within political parties also
denies fair competitive practices between parties. /he denial of fair competition between
political parties is often the source of violence in the political life of a country. /his
violence also leads to the cooption of the law,enforcement agencies in favour of ruling
regimes. 2iscrimination against those who keep out of party political loyalties develops
and often penetrates into the total system of the public service. /hus, the absence of
internal democracy within political parties ultimately develops into violence between
political parties and corruption within the public service itself.
/he absence of democracy within political parties is often the basis upon which
authoritarian forms of rule develop. 3uch authoritarianism in turn destroys whatever
freedom may have eisted within a political party. Naturally authoritarian rule destroys
the capacity for the emergence of other political parties. /he internal violence inherent in
authoritarian rule develops into societal violence, which suppresses all freedoms. /he
absence of freedom makes corruption easier. "ritics of corruption fail to find supporters
within political parties. /hus, the development of organsised resistance to corruption
through party,based democratic mechanisms becomes difficult and sometimes even
impossible.
-n recent history, neo,liberal policies have also been considered a source of corruption in
state and social services. -ncreasing privati'ation is reducing the role of states in
governance and provision of services and is functioning to favour profit,based functions
and systems, reducing the space for public entitlements. 3tate functions, policies and
policy formation processes are under the control of capital and market forces, which
decide how to distribute revenue for specific sections of society, not for the protection of
the economic, social and political rights of the people. -n a sense states are subsidi'ing
private profits through use of constitutional powers and public resources.
Public institutions and prevention of corruption
One of the major institutional aspects that must be understood and dealt with in the
process of achieving e)uality among all sections of society is policing. Policing systems
developed in the past reflect the social contradictions of those times and also the
ine)ualities inbuilt into earlier societies. -n most societies policing systems have been
used for the suppression of the poorer sections of society as well as other sections that
consist of vulnerable groups. "areful studies into the nature of policing in contemporary
societies and the development of new strategies to develop policing systems in keeping
with democratic norms and standards to safeguard the dignity of all persons are vital for
the eradication of corruption.
People are obliged to interact with the police in dealing with their problems and therefore
dealing with this institution in terms of the goals of modern democratic societies is a
precondition to dealing with most problems in our societies. /he capacity of a population
to make complaints against authorities without fear is conditioned by the nature of
policing. /herefore in creating effective mechanisms for complaint,making into all
aspects of the lives of citi'ens it is essential to ensure that the policing system acts to
assist in complaint,making, to prevent it from becoming an intimidating factor within
society.
-n the development of complaint mechanisms to prevent intimidation there is a need for
a law to protect witnesses and complainants. -n most countries of the region laws
relating to witness and complainant protection do not eist. /he same forces trying to
maintain corruption are preventing the development of such laws. /hose who are
fighting against corruption need to make strenuous efforts to build social consensus to
ensure the development of law in this direction. /he payment of ade)uate salaries for
law,enforcement officers is also a necessary component in developing proper protection
for witnesses and complainants.
2emocratisation within any society re)uires that citi'ens have the capacity to make their
voices heard on all occasions without fear and in a spirit of freedom. /herefore freedom
of epression and publication are essential in providing for participation in a democracy.
&nfortunately, in many countries legislative processes lack transparency. People.s
participation and accountability are defeated by corrupted party politics. /he lack of
access to information also adversely affects the capacity of people to participate in the
legislative process.
People.s participation re)uires not only participation by way of representatives but also
direct participation, with the capacity to make grievances heard on all occasions.
/herefore a climate needs to be fostered where all citi'ens irrespective of their social
positions feel confident that they are able to epress their grievances freely. "onfidence,
building is a necessary pre,condition for the developing of such a climate, through well,
resourced organi'ations, which must take initiatives to instill confidence by involving
isolated voices and making them into a community of strengthened voices so that
elected representatives have to take serious note.
/he development of machinery for the administration of justice in a manner that legal
remedies are made available to people is also an essential component of a strategy
against corruption. 1here there are inordinate delays relating to the administration of
justice these are eploited by corrupt elements. "orruption often feeds on inefficient
systems for the administration of justice. /herefore the elimination of inefficiencies and
incompetence in the administration of justice at all levels is essential in dealing with
corruption.
Often impediments in justice are caused by the insufficient allocation of funds. 2ue to
insufficient allocations sometimes the salaries of officers involved in the administration of
justice are affected. /his creates an ecuse for corruption among these officers.
/herefore, providing sufficient funding for the proper administration of justice is a further
precondition to deal with corruption. /he salaries of officers should be ade)uate based
on the job analysis and related to the work performance. /owards this end, not only the
salaries for the higher judiciary but also the salaries of lower judges must be protected
constitutionally and paid out of a consolidated fund.
3pecific institutions to eliminate corruption
/he development of institutions specifically devoted to the elimination of corruption is a
necessity for the maintenance of the rule of law as well as democratic institutions within
the countries of #sia. -nstitutions that are specifically devoted to the elimination of
corruption are found in most countries of the region but they have not been designed to
achieve their purported ends. $ost agencies have very limited powers and work on
small budgetary allocations. /hese agencies often create the impression of the
eistence of initiatives for the elimination of corruption but in fact these are only
cosmetic. /his is due to the absence of political will to create effective institutions to
eliminate corruption. -n the absence of political will, purely rhetorical statements are
made about the elimination of corruption while ruling regimes in fact want to continue
with the corrupt practices inherent within the system. /he will to change among people
who are the victims of corrupt practices is strong, but unless people who have the will to
change epress their will in a forceful manner and replace political leaderships which
want to continue with corrupt practices, change for the better will not take place.
-nstitutions specifically designed for the elimination of corruption should have the
following characteristics4
a. -ndependence in mandate, powers and appointments5not only for those who are in
charge but also for all other employees. Personnel must be provided with security of
tenure5if their independence in eecuting statutory functions is to be a reality5by
making provisions in relevant legislation that they are not liable to be removed from
office other than for misconduct or bad behaviour. "onstitutional safeguards are needed
to ensure the integrity of persons appointed to hold public positions in these institutions.
b. #de)uate budgetary allocations to carry out investigation, prosecution, prevention,
education and all other associated functions re)uired for effectiveness. #n effective law,
enforcement component to combat corruption must include an investigation wing with
sufficient training and resources. -n -ndonesia, a special court was set up to adjudicate
corruption cases.
c. #ccessibility for people to make complaints through various means, including through
branches around the country.
d. #nswerability to parliament and accountability through proper procedures that have
been designed to prevent interference by the eecutive or any other branch of
government.

e. 2esign within the framework of the rule of law and the &N "onvention against
"orruption.
6earning from successful ventures for elimination of corruption4 Hong (ong -"#"
/here are successful attempts at the elimination of corruption that need to be studied
and replicated with suitable adjustments. /he eample of the -ndependent "ommission
#gainst "orruption 7-"#"8 in Hong (ong is one of the more successful in #sia. /his legal
initiative has transformed Hong (ong, where there was rampant corruption prior to the
introduction of the law establishing the -"#" in 9:;<, into one of the societies where
there has been considerable success in the elimination of corruption. /he -"#" is fully
independent and protected by effective measures to prevent eecutive interference, or
that of any other authorities, in the implementation of its objectives.
/he -"#" has played a role in improving the discipline of the public services as well as
the private sector in Hong (ong. -n the public sector it has been able to improve
discipline within the police. /his has been achieved by the complete independence of
the -"#" from the policing system, with powers to control investigations into corruption
of police as well as any other public service. /he -"#" also has powers to investigate all
citi'ens, including judicial officers. No one has been ecluded from the jurisdiction of the
-"#". /he -"#" concentrates on education as an important component in the
elimination of corruption and much of its resources are devoted to this purpose. /he
internal checks and balances within the -"#" have measures against the possible
abuse of powers within the institution. /herefore this model for the elimination of
corruption needs to be studied comprehensively and introduced into other countries with
suitable adaptations
People+s movements for elimination of corruption
/he creation of effective anti,corruption agencies as well as the maintenance of these
agencies depends on the etent of public involvement and interest in the elimination of
corruption. Public movements are essential for the emergence and success of these
institutions. /herefore all civil society organisations should carefully eamine their
strategies for involvement in the creation and maintenance of institutions for the
elimination of corruption within our societies.
Public movements for the elimination of corruption should constantly articulate the
problems of corruption for people, particularly those who do not belong to the privileged
sections of society, and more specifically for the poorer sections of society. "onstant
articulation of these problems can create the necessary ethos as well as popular support
for the creation of agencies to eliminate corruption, and their sustenance. -n this respect,
the media has a huge role in highlighting issues and increasing public awareness.
&tili'ing the -nternet too we can disseminate a huge amount of information that can
reach a large audience.
3ome N=Os need to be developed to serve as corruption watchdogs, to get people to
complain when they eperience or see corruption, to investigate and take cases to the
public, and to anti,corruption institutions. /hese N=Os have to maintain high
accountability and credibility to build public trust.
/he role of the legal community in the elimination of corruption needs to be emphasised.
/he legal community can play an enormous role in educating a population on legal
safeguards against corruption and also in providing the necessary services to victims of
corruption, as well as to movements fighting against corruption, so that their
interventions can be enhanced with a proper understanding of the law. 6abour unions
and professionals such as medical doctors can play positive roles in fighting corruption
in business and the public sector, such as in the public health sector.
-n recent times there have been positive developments in the civil society organisations
of some countries that have contributed to the possibility of more effective intervention
for the creation and sustenance of attempts to eliminate corruption, and these
movements need to be closely studied and replicated. #mong these are groups that
have worked for the right to information. "omprehensive laws on the right to information
can provide citi'ens with the powers necessary to obtain information with which to deal
with their problems and those relating to their communities. /he poorer sections of
society in particular have to depend on public services, and the right to information given
to a citi'en can reveal details of the entitlements that they have under law and the
means by which to obtain them. /hus initiatives to demand such laws could be an
effective means of developing strategies to deal with the elimination of corruption. 1here
such laws already eist, citi'ens. movements can assist in their implementation, so that
people are enabled to fight against corruption through all means available.
"orruption
/here are many faces of corruption, many places of corruption, many cases where
corruption plays a part.
1hy does corruption eist> $an succumbs to greed, be it for power, for money, for glory
or for personal gratification. $an succumbs to crime, maybe to support a drug habit or
make money from those who have one, maybe to enact revenge, maybe in a crime of
passion, maybe just to deal in +dodgy+ goods.
#t a political level, there are those who seek power and will do anything to get it? they+ll
trample on anyone, they+ll use underhand means, they+ll make hollow promises, all the
time charming and sweet,talking their way through the ranks, their public face always
showing the right image, saying the right things whilst their private lives and discussions
are )uite the opposite.
Politics widens to the national, then international stage? the same tactics apply and,
sometimes, are never eposed.
-t happens, too, at a business level? banks, industrial companies, pharmaceutical
companies, commercial business, right down to the individual businessman.
3adly, too, it happens in our own private lives. 1e steal, we lie or 7just as bad8 withhold
information, we cheat, we fight, we injure and some of us even kill.
/ypes of "rime
3ome steal to make money? how does that affect those who are robbed> 1hat about the
elderly pensioner whose savings are then gone> 2oes she survive or does she give up
and die> 2oes she have someone to help her or does her pride keep her )uiet>
3ome steal to support a drug habit or to make money as dealers. "an we understand
those who have to feed a habit> "an we tolerate those who make it their business to
supply the drugs, purely for gain>
3ome plot another+s downfall, or physically harm, or even kill in the name of revenge. -s
this justified> "an we understand why this happens> -s it right to retaliate, to treat
injustice with injustice>
3ome have such strong feelings for someone, or such strong convictions, that they
commit crimes of passion. -s that understandable> -f someone acts without
premeditation, can they be pardoned>
/hen we have the cold,blooded killers, the rapists, the pedophiles. "an we possibly
understand these people> -s there any way they can be forgiven, rehabilitated>
How 2oes it 3tart>
/he basic instinct is the survival of the fittest?
children instinctively push each other away to get to something they want, until they
learn tolerance @ kindness from their parents,
they scream @ shout in temper because they want something or don.t want to do
something, until they learn, from their parents, that it gets them nowhere, that being kind
and reasonable gets them rewards, the best of which is a kiss and a cuddle and told
Awhat a good boyBgirlC.,
they cry more and more loudly when they are hungry, until they realise that they will be
fed, they won+t go hungry.
1hat happens, then, when a child is not given the tolerance and kindness, not taught
that screaming doesn.t get them anywhere, not given kisses and cuddles, not ever told
they.re good.
1hat happens when something bad happens, either in childhood, or later in life, that the
victim sees as unjust or unfair and it seems that the only way to get anywhere is to take
any means available whether or not that in itself is fair.
Have you ever stolen from the workplace> -.m talking about a pen, a pad of paper, a
folder, some paper clips..... # little thieving is regarded by some as a Aperk. of the job? it.s
nothing perhaps. However, like drugs which start with a little cannabis maybe, it can be
the beginning.
A- got away with that, so why not this> No one suffers, -.m not injuring anyone. 1hy
shouldn.t -> -.m poor? no one gives me anything. How do they epect me to survive with
little money>.
/hen the slippery slope begins.
/hose 1ho 3uffer
*amples4
the pensioner loses his or her life savings through theft or deception,
the mugged pedestrian falls, receives cuts and bruises and is afraid to go out again, or
worse still, falls and has a heart attack, or is maimed for life, or dies,
the child who is abused is scarred for life, may never be able to trust again, to have a
loving relationship,
the family of a murder victim are the ones who suffer through someone else+s anger or
other etreme emotion,
the child or adult bullied at school or at work, loses self,esteem, feels abandoned,
rejected, worthless and the repercussions ripple through the family.
/here are many more.
How do we 2eal with "orruption>
1hy don.t we give up fighting corruption if it.s all around us>
1e don.t give up because
we.re natural survivors,
we think we can make a difference,
we hope the world can be a better place,
we can make our own little corner of it a place which is better to live in by being kind to
our friends and neighbours,
most of all, we can teach our children how to go about doing all that.
Hopefully, the kindness and good eamples will spread, the ripples will become wider
and wider and drown the corruption little by little.
1e don.t give up because we are in the majorityC 2espite the daily news telling us of
wars, death, riots, murders, theft, poverty, disease and cruelty, there is much which is
good in the world. People are being good parents, offspring, friends, neighbours,
doctors, teachers...? they are making others. lives better, richer, happier, healthier, safer.
#t least we do hear a little good news each day but not enough. /here should be a
compulsory hour or two on radio and television for good news, something to cheer us
up, to inspire, to amuse, to give us a warm, cosy feeling. Des, we need to know about
what.s happening in the world but let.s have the wonderful with the dreadful, the ama'ing
with the awful, the brave ones with the cowards. - was hard,pressed to find positive
headlines when researching for this hub 7and only one was in a newspaperC8.
3trategii de combatere a corupEiei
Fn ultimii ani, statele democratice au de'voltat din ce Gn ce mai multe iniEiative publice de
a combate corupEia. &rmHrind
acest scop, s,a GnfiinEat organi'aEia internaEionalH /ransparency -nternational 7/-8.
#ceastH organi'aEie reali'ea'H anchete
Ii studii la diferite nivele Gn diferite EHri Ii elaborea'H Ii diseminea'H standarde de
combatere a corupEiei. #cEiunile
Gndreptate Gmpotriva corupEiei au fost sprijinite de Janca $ondialH, de !ondul $onetar
-nternaEional, de Organi'aEia
pentru "ooperare Ii 2e'voltare *conomicH, de &niunea *uropeanH, precum Ii de
NaEiunile &nite. Fn 6ituania organul
principal care coordonea'H lupta Gmpotriva corupEiei este 3erviciul de -nvestigaEii
3peciale, GnfiinEat Gn 9::;.
%educerea nivelului corupEiei nu este nici un proces uIor, nici unul rapid. 2eoarece
ca'urile de corupEie pot include
diverIi factori direcEi Ii indirecEi 7cum ar fi politici economice neadecvate, slaba
conItienti'are a publicului, societHEi
civile slabe, lipsa de rHspundere a instituEiilor de stat Ii tradiEiile naEionale8, lupta
Gmpotriva corupEiei trebuie sH ia o
formH holisticH GnglobKnd o varietate de mHsuri. #tKta vreme cKt corupEia este un act
ilegal legat de sistem, pedepsirea
persoanelor oficiale rHmKne un spectacol cu LEapi ispHIitori judecaEiM, unde publicul este
conItient de o serie de alte
ca'uri la fel de vinovate dar care au reuIit sH scape.
%eEinKnd cau'ele care facilitea'H pre'enEH Ii creIterea corupEiei Gntr,o EarH, strategiile de
combatere a corupEiei pot
include o serie de mHsuri, cum ar fi4
N adoptarea unor criterii Ii proceduri clare de recrutare
Ii promovare a funcEionarilor publici?
N elaborarea unor proceduri clare 7Ii transparente8 de luare
a deci'iilor relevante pentru public Ii pentru stat, care
se ba'ea'H pe imparEialitate Ii care urmHresc bunHstarea tuturor cetHEenilor?
N separarea posturilor politicede cele de stat? inter'icerea
ca funcEionarii publici municipali sH fie repre'entanEi ai
unor partide politice?
N inter'icerea ca funcEionarii publici sH efectue'e activitHEi
comerciale?444 *ducaEie Gmpotriva coruptiei 9O
N cerinEa ca veniturile Ii cheltuielilepartidelorpolitice sH fie transparente Ii
legale?
N monitori'area Ii declararea veniturilor de cHtre politicieni?
N declararea cadourilor primite de politicieni?
N de'voltarea unor coduri de conduitH pentru funcEionarii publici
Ii politicieni Gn completarea sistemului legal?
N suplimentarea legislaEiei cu definiEii clare ale actelor de
corupEie?
N autori'area deci'iilor adoptate de funcEionarii publici Ii
stabilirea cerinEeica deci'iile foarte importante sH se
ia prin aprobare comunH?
N GmbunHtHEireaprocedurilor de achi'iEii publiceIi de
privati'are a proprietHEii de stat.
$Hsurile de combatere a corupEiei adoptate Gn 6ituania sunt cuprinse Gn Programul
NaEional de "ombatere a
"orupEiei. *ducaEia joacH un rol foarte important Gn Gncercarea de a spori conItienti'area
publicH Ii de a construi
atitudinea Ii abilitHEile civice.
http4BBwww.sdcentras.ltBantikorupcijaBenBtp9BPublicationP%o.pdf