TIA PRESENTS THE RESULTS OF THE CORRUPTION PERCEPTIONS INDEX(CPI) 2013
PRESS RELEASE
TIA PRESENTS THE RESULTS OF THE CORRUPTION PERCEPTIONS INDEX(CPI) 2013
Albania ranks in the 116th place among 177 countries and territories included in the index, with a score of 31 points
Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index 2013 offers a warning that the abuse of power, secret dealings and bribery continue to ravage societies around the world.
More than two thirds of the 177 countries in the 2013 index score below 50, on a scale from 0 (perceived to be highly corrupt) to 100 (perceived to be very clean).
“The Corruption Perceptions Index 2013 demonstrates that all countries still face the threat of corruption at all levels of government, from the issuing of local permits to the enforcement of laws and regulations,” said Huguette Labelle, Chair of Transparency International.
Corruption Perceptions Index 2013: The results
In the Corruption Perceptions Index 2013, Denmark and New Zealand tie for first place with scores of 91. Afghanistan, North Korea and Somalia this year make up the worst performers, scoring just 8 points each.
“The top performers clearly reveal how transparency supports accountability and can stop corruption,” said Labelle. “Still, the better performers face issues like state capture, campaign finance and the oversight of big public contracts which remain major corruption risks.”
The Corruption Perceptions Index is based on experts’ opinions of public sector corruption. Countries’ scores can be helped by strong access to information systems and rules governing the behaviour of those in public positions, while a lack of accountability across the public sector coupled with ineffective public institutions hurts these perceptions.
Albania scores 31 points in the Corruption Perceptions Index 2013, compared to the result of 33 points for year 2012, with seven data sources and a standard deviation of 2.1 points (minimum 23 and maximum 38). This year, Albania ranks in the 116th position, with 3 positions less (more corrupted) compared to 2012 results. Albania classifies with the most negative perception of corruption among the countries of Europe and in the region. In the rank of 177 countries of the index, Albania has the same results with Nepal and Vietnam, after Nigeria, Ethiopia and Indonesia.
The index calculation for Albania is realized based on data sources of seven independent institutions: The Bertelsmann Transformation Index (The Bertelsmann Foundation), the Economic Intelligence Unit, Global Insight, Freedom House, International Country Risk Guide, World Economic Forum and the World Justice Project.
In the region of South-Eastern Europe, the highest index score go for Turkey, Georgia and Croatia, while the worst performance is attributed to the two Albanian states. The analysis show that Kosovo has advanced with 5 positions in ranking better than Albania. The Balkan countries which aspire the EU integration process for their countries have been noted with a progress in the fight against corruption, while contrarily Albania has shown a regress in the global index scoring.
Corruption within the public sector remains one of the world’s biggest challenges, Transparency International said, particularly in areas such as political parties, police, and justice systems. State capture is a serious concern as it hampers every effort in the fight against corruption. Transparency International Albania appeals that the phenomenon of corruption in the country has found a political climate in its favor and the most problematic characteristics include:
1. The new system of money laundering;
2. Funding of political parties and electoral campaigns from illegal money and business;
3. State capture through the control of procurement system and privatizations;
4. State linkage with the narcotic drugs and human beings trafficking;
5. Economic monopolies in the strategic sectors of the economy;
6. The impunity of high public officials from the rule of law and judiciary;
7. A lack of law enforcement and of the culture of combatting the impunity.
In this context, Transparency International Albania calls on public institutions and rule of law agencies in Albania to implement the anti-corruption reforms in line with the recommendations of the European Commission and the obligations of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption.
Public institutions need to be more open about their work and officials must be more transparent in their decision-making. Corruption remains notoriously difficult to investigate and prosecute. The legal loopholes and lack of political will in government facilitate both domestic and cross-border corruption, and call for our intensified efforts to combat the impunity of the corrupt.
Transparency International Albania appeals for enhancing the accountability of the public administration, independent institutions and the independent investigation of corruption.
Future efforts to respond to climate change, economic crisis and extreme poverty will face a massive roadblock in the shape of corruption, Transparency International warned. International bodies like the G20 must crack down on money laundering, make corporations more transparent and pursue the return of stolen assets.
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Transparency International is the global civil society organisation leading the fight against corruption
Media contact:
TRANSPARENCY INTERNATIONAL ALBANIA
Bul. “Gjergj Fishta”, Kulla V (blu), Kati 2, No. 6, Tirana, Albania
Tel: +355 42 267 457
E-mail: leginet@albaniaonline.net
