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 is the status of corruption and anti-corruption in Palestine?
Purpose
Our country provides bilateral assistance to the Palestine authorities. Information focusing on the Petroleum sector and illicit capital flows in Palestine would be particularly helpful.
Content
1. Overview of corruption in Palestine
2. Anti-corruption efforts in Palestine
3. References
Caveats
There are relatively few publicly available sources of information on corruption and anti-corruption for Palestine (in English) than for other countries. The present answer draws heavily on a comprehensive 2011 World Bank report on improving governance and reducing corruption, the Global Integrity 2010 scorecard and the 2009 National Integrity System study as well as other reports produced by the AMAN coalition.
Summary
Since its inception, the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) has faced major internal and external threats and challenges that may have stalled its efforts to develop and implement effective anti-corruption policies. Againstthis backdrop, the PNA is credited with having made significant progress in strengthening public governance systems, as reflected by findings of various corruption surveys and governance indicators.
While domestic surveys show that perceptions of corruption remain high across the population, in actual fact, relatively few Palestinians experience petty bribery when dealing with public officials. Wasta (favouritism) and nepotism constitute the most common manifestations of corruption, in particular in relation to appointments in public institutions. Corruption in economic sectors that have monopolistic features such as the petroleum sector and in land management remain issues of major concern.
The PNA has made efforts to strengthen its legal and institutional framework against corruption. A number of anti-corruption laws have been enacted and institutions have been created, such as the Anti-Corruption Commission and Corruption Crimes Court, an external audit bureau, the SAACB, and the Economic Crimes and Support Unit within the Attorney General’s office. But efforts remain fragmented and there is a need for better coordination of anti-corruption efforts and institutions. The lack of an access to information law also prevents civil society organisations and the media from fully playing their watchdog role.
Authors
Marie Chêne, Transparency International, [email protected]
Reviewers
Robin Hodess Ph.D, Transparency International, [email protected]
Date
19/01/2012
