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
Please provide an overview of the nature and impact of corruption in Kyrgyzstan. What legal and institutional framework is available to address corruption?
Purpose
The report is to be used as background documentation to inform our Central Asia anti-corruption strategy.
Content
1. Overview of corruption in Kyrgyzstan
2. Governance structure and anti-corruption efforts
3. References
Summary
Kyrgyzstan faces major challenges of widespread corruption in all sectors of the economy and at all levels of the state apparatus, including entrenched corruption, political instability, infiltration of state institutions by criminal groups, and economic problems. Corruption and years of cronyism and clientelistic practices have fuelled citizen discontent and political instability, leading to a popular uprising in 2010, and to the election of a new government in 2011. Since then, the country has intensified its efforts to fight corruption. Several measures have been taken to reduce bureaucratic corruption and the negative impact of corruption on the business environment. Measures to strengthen the independence of the judiciary and to reform other law enforcement institutions are also underway. It remains to be seen whether the new government’s apparent political resolve to fight corruption will translate into real changes in the country.
Authors
Maira Martini, Transparency International, [email protected]
Reviewers
Marie Chene, Transparency International, [email protected]; Dieter Zinnbauer, Transparency International, [email protected]
Date
17/01/2013
