This Anti-Corruption Helpdesk brief was produced in response to a query from a U4 Partner Agency. The U4 Helpdesk is operated by Transparency International in collaboration with the U4 Anti-Corruption Resource Centre based at the Chr. Michelsen Institute.
Query
What do studies say about corruption in Iraq over the past ten years? What are the drivers of corruption, the key areas of corruption, and both economic and political impact of corruption?
Purpose
We would like to provide all country offices with a current corruption country profile to inform situation analysis.
Content
1.Background
2.Extent of corruption
3.Nature of corruption challenges
4.Sectors particularly vulnerable
5.Anti-corruption framework
6.References
Caveat
This Helpdesk answer draws on a previous Helpdesk answer on Iraq. The Kurdish Region of Iraq is covered in a separate Helpdesk answer. As the new Iraqi Prime Minister’s Government Work Program is yet to be finalised, a future Helpdesk answer is needed to assess how this will affect the integrity framework of the country.
Summary
Since the overthrow of Saddam Hussein’s regime, Iraq has faced significant corruption challenges. The country continues to score among the worst countries on corruption and governance indicators. Corruption risks are exacerbated by the historical legacy of the previous authoritarian regime, lack of experience in the public administration, weak capacity to absorb the influx of aid money, sectarian issues and lack of political will for anti-corruption efforts. While Iraq has introduced a number of anti-corruption initiatives, these fail to provide a sufficiently strong integrity framework. Political interference, lack of political will, a weak civil society, a confusing penal code, and a lack of resources limit the effectiveness of anti-corruption measures. Corruption in the military and security services and oil smuggling has contributed to the major security challenge that the country now faces with the militant group Isis.
Authors
Coralie Pring, Transparency International, [email protected]
Reviewers
Marie Chêne, Transparency International, [email protected] Finn Heinrich, PhD, Transparency International, [email protected]
Date
07/05/2015
