СОННПРТЮМ РЕНВЕРТЮМЗ ШШЕХ о ТКАМБРАКЕМСУ МТЕКМАТ ОМАЬ {Не $ 0Ьа соаНЫоп агатзт соггирЫоп Transparency International is a global movement with one vision: a world in which government, business, civil society and the daily lives of people are free of corruption. With more than 100 chapters worldwide and an international secretariat in Berlin, we are leading the fight against corruption to turn this vision into reality. #cpi2019 www.transparency.org/cpi Every effort has been made to verify the accuracy of the information contained in this report. All information was believed to be correct as of January 2020. Nevertheless, Transparency International cannot accept responsibility for the consequences of its use for other purposes or in other contexts. ISBN: 978-3-96076-134-1 2020 Transparency International. Except where otherwise noted, this work is licensed under CC BY-ND 4.0 DE. Quotation permitted. Please contact Transparency International – copyright@transparency.org – regarding derivatives requests. TABLE OF CONTENTS CORRUPTION PERCEPTIONS INDEX 2019 2-3 Map and results 4-5 Executive summary Recommendations 6-8 Global highlights 9-11 Political integrity Transparency in campaign finance Political decision-making 12-13 Americas United States Brazil 14-15 Asia Pacific 22-23 Indonesia Western Europe & European Union Papua New Guinea Malta 16-17 Eastern Europe & Central Asia Armenia Kosovo 18-19 Middle East & North Africa Tunisia Saudi Arabia 20-21 Sub-Saharan Africa Angola Ghana Estonia 24-25 Trouble at the top 26 Methodology 27-29 Endnotes TRANSPARENCY INTERNATIONAL 180 COUNTRIES. 180 SCORES. HOW DOES YOUR COUNTRY MEASURE UP? The perceived levels of public sector corruption in 180 countries/territories around the world. SCORE Very Clean Highly Corrupt 0-9 10-19 20-29 SCORE COUNTRY/TERRITORY 87 30-39 60-69 70-79 80-89 90-100 No data 69 France 23 56 Czech Republic 44 45 Montenegro 66 Denmark 1 69 United States of America 23 56 Georgia 44 45 Senegal 66 68 Bhutan 25 67 Chile 26 66 Seychelles 27 65 Taiwan 28 64 Bahamas 29 62 Barbados 30 62 Portugal 30 62 Qatar 30 62 Spain 30 61 Botswana 34 60 Brunei Darussalam 35 60 Israel 35 60 Lithuania 35 60 Slovenia 35 59 Korea, South 39 59 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 39 58 Cabo Verde 41 58 Cyprus 41 58 Poland 56 Costa Rica 87 New Zealand 1 Finland 3 85 Singapore 4 85 Sweden 4 85 Switzerland 4 84 Norway 7 82 Netherlands 8 80 Germany 9 80 Luxembourg 9 78 Iceland 11 77 Australia 12 77 Austria 12 77 Canada 12 77 United Kingdom 12 76 Hong Kong 16 75 Belgium 17 74 Estonia 18 74 Ireland 18 73 Japan 20 71 United Arab Emirates 21 Uruguay 21 2 50-59 RANK 86 71 40-49 56 Latvia 44 44 Hungary 70 55 Dominica 48 48 70 Saint Lucia Romania 55 44 50 70 Malta South Africa 54 44 44 Suriname 70 53 Grenada 51 51 74 Italy Bulgaria 53 43 53 Malaysia 51 43 Jamaica 74 53 Rwanda 51 43 Tunisia 74 53 Saudi Arabia 51 42 Armenia 77 52 Mauritius 56 42 Bahrain 77 52 Namibia 56 42 Solomon Islands 77 52 Oman 56 41 Benin 80 50 Slovakia 59 41 China 80 48 Cuba 60 41 Ghana 80 48 Greece 60 41 India 80 48 Jordan 60 41 Morocco 80 40 Burkina Faso 85 47 Croatia 63 40 Guyana 85 46 Sao Tome and Principe 64 46 Vanuatu 64 41 45 Argentina 66 44 45 Belarus 66 40 Indonesia 85 40 Kuwait 85 40 Lesotho 85 40 Trinidad and Tobago 85 CORRUPTION PERCEPTIONS INDEX 2019 39 Serbia 91 34 Kazakhstan 113 39 Turkey 91 34 Nepal 113 38 Ecuador 93 38 Sri Lanka 93 38 Timor-Leste 93 37 Colombia 96 37 Ethiopia 37 34 Philippines 113 34 Eswatini 113 34 Zambia 113 96 33 Sierra Leone 119 32 Moldova 120 Gambia 96 32 Niger 120 37 Tanzania 96 37 Vietnam 96 32 Pakistan 120 36 Bosnia and Herzegovina 101 31 Bolivia 123 31 Gabon 123 36 Kosovo 101 31 Malawi 123 36 Panama 101 30 Azerbaijan 126 36 Peru 101 30 Djibouti 126 36 Thailand 101 30 Kyrgyzstan 126 35 Albania 106 30 Ukraine 126 35 Algeria 106 35 Brazil 106 35 Cote d'Ivoire 106 35 Egypt 106 35 North Macedonia 106 35 Mongolia 106 34 El Salvador 113 29 Guinea 130 29 Laos 130 29 Maldives 130 29 Mali 130 29 Mexico 130 29 Myanmar 130 29 Togo 130 28 Dominican Republic 137 28 Kenya 137 28 Lebanon 137 28 Liberia 137 28 Mauritania 137 28 Papua New Guinea 137 28 Paraguay 137 28 Russia 137 28 Uganda 137 26 Angola 146 26 Bangladesh 146 26 Guatemala 146 26 Honduras 146 26 Iran 146 26 Mozambique 146 26 Nigeria 146 25 Cameroon 153 25 Central African Republic 153 25 Comoros 25 24 Zimbabwe 158 23 Eritrea 160 22 Nicaragua 161 20 Cambodia 162 20 Chad 162 20 Iraq 162 19 Burundi 165 19 Congo 165 19 Turkmenistan 165 18 Democratic Republic of the Congo 168 18 Guinea Bissau 168 18 Haiti 168 18 Libya 168 17 Korea, North 172 16 Afghanistan 173 16 Equatorial Guinea 173 16 Sudan 173 16 Venezuela 173 15 Yemen 177 153 13 Syria 178 Tajikistan 153 12 South Sudan 179 25 Uzbekistan 153 9 Somalia 180 24 Madagascar 158 3 TRANSPARENCY INTERNATIONAL EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Corruption Perceptions Index 2019 reveals a staggering number of countries are showing little to no improvement in tackling corruption. Our analysis also suggests that reducing big money in politics and promoting inclusive political decision-making are essential to curb corruption. In the last year, anti-corruption movements across the globe gained momentum as millions of people joined together to speak out against corruption in their governments. Protests from Latin America, North Africa and Eastern Europe to the Middle East and Central Asia made headlines as citizens marched in Santiago, Prague, Beirut, and a host of other cities to voice their frustrations in the streets. 180 From fraud that occurs at the highest levels of government to petty bribery that blocks access to basic public services like health care and education, citizens are fed up with corrupt leaders and institutions. This frustration fuels a growing lack of trust in government and further erodes public confidence in political leaders, elected officials and democracy. political integrity in many countries. To have any chance of curbing corruption, governments must strengthen checks and balances, limit the influence of big money in politics and ensure broad input in political decision-making. Public policies and resources should not be determined by economic power or political influence, but by fair consultation and impartial budget allocation. The current state of corruption speaks to a need for greater 100 COUNTRIES SCORED 0 THE CPI USES A SCALE FROM 0 TO 100 The CPI scores 180 countries and territories by their perceived levels of public sector corruption, according to experts and business people. 100 is very clean and 0 is highly corrupt 2/3 OF COUNTRIES SCORE BELOW THE AVERAGE SCORE IS 50 /100 4 43 /100 CORRUPTION PERCEPTIONS INDEX 2019 Recommendations To end corruption and restore trust in politics, it is imperative to prevent opportunities for political corruption and to foster the integrity of political systems. Transparency International recommends: $ MANAGE CONFLICTS OF INTEREST CONTROL POLITICAL FINANCING STRENGTHEN ELECTORAL INTEGRITY Governments should reduce the risk of undue influence in policy-making by tightening controls over financial and other interests of government officials. Governments should also address “revolving doors”, establish cooling-off periods for former officials and ensure rules are properly enforced and sanctioned. In order to prevent excessive money and influence in politics, governments should improve and properly enforce campaign finance regulations. Political parties should also disclose their sources of income, assets and loans, and governments should empower oversight agencies with stronger mandates and appropriate resources. For democracy to be effective against corruption, governments must ensure that elections are free and fair. Preventing and sanctioning vote-buying and misinformation campaigns are essential to rebuilding trust in government and ensuring that citizens can use their vote to punish corrupt politicians. REGULATE LOBBYING ACTIVITIES TACKLE PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT EMPOWER CITIZENS Governments should promote open and meaningful access to decision-making and consult a wider range of groups, beyond well-resourced lobbyists and a few private interests. Lobbying activities should be public and easily accessible. Governments should create mechanisms to ensure that service delivery and public resource allocation are not driven by personal connections or are biased towards special interest groups at the expense of the overall public good. Governments should protect civil liberties and political rights, including freedom of speech, expression and association. Governments should engage civil society and protect citizens, activists, whistleblowers and journalists in monitoring and exposing corruption. REINFORCE CHECKS AND BALANCES Governments must promote the separation of powers, strengthen judicial independence and preserve checks and balances. 5 TRANSPARENCY INTERNATIONAL GLOBAL HIGHLIGHTS This year’s Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) shows corruption is more pervasive in countries where big money can flow freely into electoral campaigns and where governments listen only to the voices of wealthy or well-connected individuals. HIGHEST SCORING REGION LOWEST SCORING REGION WESTERN EUROPE & EUROPEAN UNION SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA 66 32 AVERAGE REGIONAL SCORE AVERAGE REGIONAL SCORE SINCE 2018 SINCE 2018 /100 6 /100 CORRUPTION PERCEPTIONS INDEX 2019 BOTTOM COUNTRIES TOP COUNTRIES 0 100 01 DENMARK 87/100 02 NEW ZEALAND 87/100 03 FINLAND 86/100 04 SINGAPORE 85/100 05 SWEDEN 85/100 06 SWITZERLAND 85/100 176 VENEZUELA 16/100 177 YEMEN 15/100 178 SYRIA 13/100 179 SOUTH SUDAN 12/100 180 SOMALIA 9/100 0 The index ranks 180 countries and territories by their perceived levels of public sector corruption, according to experts and business people. It uses a scale of zero to 100, where zero is highly corrupt and 100 is very clean. More than two-thirds of countries score below 50 on this year’s CPI, with an average score of just 43. GLOBAL AVERAGE Similar to previous years, the data shows that despite some progress, a majority of countries are still failing to tackle public sector corruption effectively. The top countries are New Zealand and Denmark, with scores of 87 each, followed by Finland (86), Singapore (85), Sweden (85) and Switzerland (85). 100 The bottom countries are Somalia, South Sudan and Syria with scores of 9, 12 and 13, respectively. These countries are closely followed by Yemen (15), Venezuela (16), Sudan (16), Equatorial Guinea (16) and Afghanistan (16). Governments must urgently address the corrupting role of big money in political party financing and the undue influence it exerts on our political systems. Delia Ferreira Rubio Chair Transparency International Photo: World Economic Forum / Benedikt von Loebell https://flic.kr/p/H4VYaw CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 7 TRANSPARENCY INTERNATIONAL 22 21 Since 2012: In the last eight years, only 22 countries significantly improved their CPI scores, including Greece, Guyana and Estonia. In the same period, 21 countries significantly decreased their scores, including Canada, Australia and Nicaragua. In the remaining 137 countries, the levels of corruption show little to no change. COUNTRIES IMPROVED* Including: Greece (+12) Guyana (+12) Estonia (+10) COUNTRIES DECLINED* Including: Canada (-7) Nicaragua (-7) Australia (-8) THE REMAINING COUNTRIES MADE LITTLE OR NO PROGRESS IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION IN RECENT YEARS * In these six examples, the country score changed significantly between 2012 and 2019. RESULTS BY REGION Average regional scores, with top and bottom performers in each region. 35 66 EASTERN EUROPE & CENTRAL ASIA WESTERN EUROPE & EU Average score Average score 43 39 AMERICAS MIDDLE EAST & NORTH AFRICA Average score Average score Top: Canada (77/100) Bottom: Venezuela (16/100) Top: United Arab Emirates (71/100) Bottom: Syria (13/100) 32 SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA Average score Top: Seychelles (66/100) Bottom: Somalia (9/100) 8 Top: Georgia (56/100) Bottom: Turkmenistan (19/100) Top: Denmark (87/100) Bottom: Bulgaria (43/100) 45 ASIA PACIFIC Average score Top: New Zealand (87/100) Bottom: Afghanistan (16/100) CORRUPTION PERCEPTIONS INDEX 2019 POLITICAL INTEGRITY Keeping big money out of politics is essential to ensure political decision-making serves the public interest and curb opportunities for corrupt deals. This year, our research highlights the relationship between politics, money and corruption. Unregulated flows of big money in politics also make public policy vulnerable to undue influence. Countries with stronger enforcement of campaign finance regulations have lower levels of corruption, as measured by the CPI. Countries where campaign finance regulations are comprehensive and systematically enforced have an average score of 70 on the CPI, whereas countries where such regulations either don’t exist or are poorly enforced score an average of just 34 and 35 respectively. Sixty per cent of countries that significantly improved their CPI scores since 2012 also strengthened their enforcement of campaign finance regulations. In addition, when policy-makers listen only to wealthy or politically connected individuals and groups, they often do so at the expense of the citizens they serve. Countries with broader and more open consultation processes score an average of 61 on the CPI. By contrast, where there is little to no consultation, the average score is just 32. scores since 2012 do not engage the most relevant political, social and business actors in political decision-making. Countries with lower CPI scores also have a higher concentration of political power among wealthy citizens.1 Across the board, there is a concerning popular perception that rich people buy elections, both among some of the lowest-scoring countries on the CPI, as well as among certain higher-scoring countries, such as the United States.2 A vast majority of countries that significantly declined their CPI To have any chance of ending corruption and improving peoples’ lives, we must tackle the relationship between politics and big money. All citizens must be represented in decision-making. Patricia Moreira Managing Director Transparency International Photo: Transparency International CC BY 4.0 DE 9 TRANSPARENCY INTERNATIONAL TRANSPARENCY IN CAMPAIGN FINANCE Greater transparency of campaign donations is associated with lower levels of corruption. Each dot represents a country’s CPI 2019 score and the circles represent the average CPI score as compared to the strength of enforcement.3 100 80 70 60 CPI 2019 55 40 35 34 20 0 NO DISCLOSURE EXIST DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENTS WITH UNCLEAR ENFORCEMENT DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENTS NOT COMPREHENSIVE, BUT ENFORCED COMPREHENSIVE REQUIREMENTS, ENFORCED VARIETIES OF DEMOCRACY (V-DEM) 2019 “DISCLOSURE OF CAMPAIGN DONATIONS” BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA 36 With a score of 36, Bosnia and Herzegovina significantly declined by six points on the CPI since 2012. The country also suffers from weak enforcement of campaign finance regulations. During the 2018 elections, political parties and civil society organisations raised concerns over voting irregularities, threats against voters, the misuse of public resources and unequal access to the media.4 10 SOUTH KOREA 59 With a score of 59, South Korea significantly improved by six points on the CPI since 2016. While a large share of funding comes from private donations, campaign contributions are well regulated and the rules enforced.5 Many elected officials and parliamentarians have lost their offices or seats due to violations of these regulations. CÔTE D’IVOIRE 35 This year, Côte d’Ivoire scores 35 on the CPI, a significant increase of six points since 2012. Campaign finance regulations are partially enforced in the country. Since 2010, there have been few complaints about irregularities in elections. International observers have deemed elections inclusive and transparent, from the candidate registration process to vote counting.6 CORRUPTION PERCEPTIONS INDEX 2019 POLITICAL DECISION-MAKING Broad consultation in political decision-making is associated with lower levels of corruption. Each dot represents a country’s CPI 2019 score and the circles represent the average CPI score as compared to the extent of consultation.7 100 80 61 CPI 2019 60 41 40 32 20 0 NO OR LITTLE CONSULTATION WITHIN RULING PARTY PLURAL POLITICAL CONSULTATION SOME OR MOST RELEVANT POLITICAL, SOCIAL AND BUSINESS ACTORS ARE CONSULTED VARIETIES OF DEMOCRACY (V-DEM) 2019 “RANGE OF CONSULTATION” NICARAGUA 22 With a score of 22, Nicaragua significantly declined by seven points on the CPI since 2012. There is little to no consultation on political decisions with political, social and business groups in the country. Civil society and opposition parties are systematically excluded from the policy process, while groups critical of the government operate in an increasingly restrictive environment.8 ECUADOR 38 Since 2016, Ecuador significantly improved six points to earn a score of 38 on the CPI this year. Over the past two years, the government rolled back some restrictions on civil society. Despite these positive developments, the government retains excessive regulatory power over NGOs and it remains to be seen how it responds to recent protests in the country.9 TURKEY 35 This year, Turkey scores 35 on the CPI, a significant decrease of 10 points since 2012. There is little space for consultative decision-making in the country. The government recently cracked down on NGOs, closing at least 1,500 foundations and associations and seizing their assets, while continuing to harass, arrest and prosecute civil society leaders.10 11 TRANSPARENCY INTERNATIONAL AMERICAS With an average score of 43 for the fourth consecutive year, the Americas region fails to make significant progress in the fight against corruption. TOP SCORERS 32 AVERAGE REGIONAL SCORE While Canada is consistently a top performer, with a score of 77 out of 100, the country dropped four points since last year and seven points since 2012. At the bottom of the index, Venezuela scores 16, which is also one of the bottom five scores globally. The region faces significant challenges from political leaders acting in their own self-interest at the expense of the citizens they serve. Specifically, political party financing and electoral integrity are big challenges. For example, the Lava Jato investigation,11 or “Operation Car Wash”, which exposed corruption spanning at least 10 countries in 12 URUGUAY UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 69/100 BOTTOM SCORERS /100 77/100 71/100 COUNTRIES ASSESSED 43 CANADA NICARAGUA 22/100 HAITI 18/100 VENEZUELA 16/100 Latin America, points to a surge in illegal political contributions or donations as part of one of the biggest corruption scandals in history.12 Odebrecht, the Brazilian construction giant at the heart of the case, was convicted for paying US$1 billion in bribes over the past 15 years, including to political leaders in Brazil, Peru and Argentina during elections. With scores of 22 and 29 respectively, Nicaragua and Mexico are significant decliners on the CPI since 2012. Although the recent Global Corruption Barometer – Latin America and the Caribbean13 highlights vote-buying and other corruption issues in Mexico, a recent anti-corruption reform, along with a new, legally autonomous attorney general’s office are positive changes.14 In Nicaragua, social unrest and human rights violations are on the rise.15 Public services and consultative decision-making are sorely lacking in the country. With a score of 40, Guyana is a significant improver on the CPI since 2012.16 While there is still much work to do, the government is demonstrating political will to hold former politicians accountable for the misuse of state resources. CORRUPTION PERCEPTIONS INDEX 2019 COUNTRIES TO WATCH United States (US) With a score of 69, the United States drops two points since last year to earn its lowest score on the CPI in eight years. This comes at a time when Americans’ trust in government is at an historic low of 17 per cent,17 according to the Pew Research Center. The US faces a wide range of challenges, from threats to its system of checks and balances,18 and the ever-increasing influence of special interests in government,19 to the use of anonymous shell companies by criminals, corrupt individuals and even terrorists, to hide illicit activities.20 While President Trump campaigned on a promise of “draining the swamp” and making government work for more than just Washington insiders and political elites, a series of scandals, resignations and allegations of unethical behaviour suggest that the “pay-to-play” culture has only become more entrenched.21 In December 2019, the US House of Representatives formally impeached President Trump for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress.22 A whistleblower complaint sparked the impeachment process, providing a powerful reminder of the need to protect, and expand, the legal and everyday environment for whistleblowers and to avoid the shame and blame that often ensues if their identities are revealed.23 Photo: Michael Fleshman https://flic.kr/p/eJrGgh CC BY-NC 2.0 Brazil Corruption remains one of the biggest impediments to economic and social development in Brazil. With a score of 35, Brazil remains stagnated, with its lowest CPI score since 2012. After the 2018 national elections, which were strongly influenced by an anti-corruption agenda, Brazil experienced a series of setbacks to its legal and institutional anticorruption frameworks.24 The country also faced difficulties in advancing wide-ranging reforms to its political system. Setbacks included a Supreme Court injunction that virtually paralysed Brazil’s anti-money laundering system25 and an illegal inquiry that secretly targeted law enforcement agents.26 Ongoing challenges include growing political interference with anti-corruption institutions by President Bolsonaro, and congressional approval of legislation that threatens the independence of law enforcement agents and the accountability of political parties. Progress in Brazil’s anti-corruption agenda is at risk and mounting impunity threatens to weaken democracy and destabilise the country. Photo: Mario Roberto Duran Ortiz/Wikimedia Commons 13 TRANSPARENCY INTERNATIONAL ASIA PACIFIC A regional average of 45, after many consecutive years of an average score of 44, illustrates general stagnation across the Asia Pacific. TOP SCORERS 31 87/100 SINGAPORE 85/100 COUNTRIES ASSESSED /100 AVERAGE REGIONAL SCORE Despite the presence of high performers like New Zealand (87), Singapore (85), Australia (77), Hong Kong (76) and Japan (73), the region hasn’t witnessed substantial progress in anticorruption efforts or results. In addition, low performers like Afghanistan (16), North Korea (17) and Cambodia (20) continue to highlight serious challenges in the region. While often seen as an engine of the global economy, in terms of political integrity and governance, the region performs only marginally better than the global average. Many countries AUSTRALIA 77/100 BOTTOM SCORERS 45 14 NEW ZEALAND CAMBODIA 20/100 NORTH KOREA 17/100 AFGHANISTAN 16/100 see economic openness as a way forward, however, governments across the region, from China to Cambodia to Vietnam, continue to restrict participation in public affairs, silence dissenting voices and keep decision-making out of public scrutiny.27 Given these issues, it comes as no surprise that vibrant economic powers like China (41), Indonesia (40), Vietnam (37), the Philippines (34) and others continue to struggle to tackle corruption. Even in democracies, such as Australia28 and India29, unfair and opaque political financing and undue influence in decisionmaking and lobbying by powerful corporate interest groups, result in stagnation or decline in control of corruption. CORRUPTION PERCEPTIONS INDEX 2019 COUNTRIES TO WATCH Indonesia With a score of 40, Indonesia improves by two points on the CPI. A promising emerging economy is coupled with repression of civil society and weak oversight institutions. The independence and effectiveness of Indonesia’s anti-corruption commission, the KPK, is currently being thwarted by the government.30 The Komisi Pemberantasan Korupsi (KPK), is seen as a symbol of progress and modernisation, but is undergoing a loss of autonomy and power. Paradoxically, this contradicts the government’s aspirations and President Widodo’s own agenda, which prioritises foreign investment and a booming economy.31 With corruption issues in the limelight, Indonesia risks scaring off investors and slowing economic progress. The re-election of President Joko Widodo was a setback to political integrity that surprised many, undercutting the impressive democratic and anti-corruption resurgence the country experienced in the last few years.32 Photo: Adek Berry/AFP Papua New Guinea With a score of 28, Papua New Guinea remains stagnant on the CPI. However, despite low performance on the CPI for years, recent anti-corruption developments are encouraging. corruption, the government instituted structural changes and introduced new legislation to establish an Independent Commission against Corruption (ICAC). Together, these small improvements give citizens a reason for optimism. Following the removal of former Prime Minister O’Neill, currently being investigated for alleged Under the current leadership of Prime Minister Marape, the government should uphold its previous commitments, as well as its 20-year anti-corruption strategy established in 2012, and work to investigate and punish bribery, fraud, conflicts of interest, nepotism and other corrupt acts. More progress is needed to make real change in Papua New Guinea and civil society organisations must remain vigilant in holding the government accountable. Photo: David Gray/Reuters 15 TRANSPARENCY INTERNATIONAL EASTERN EUROPE & CENTRAL ASIA Eastern Europe and Central Asia is the second-lowest performing region on the CPI, with an average score of 35. TOP SCORERS 19 AVERAGE REGIONAL SCORE Across the region, countries experience limited separation of powers, abuse of state resources for electoral purposes, opaque political party financing and conflicts of interest.33 34 BELARUS MONTENEGRO 45/100 BOTTOM SCORERS /100 56/100 45/100 COUNTRIES ASSESSED 35 GEORGIA TAJIKISTAN 25/100 UZBEKISTAN 25/100 TURKMENISTAN 19/100 Despite aspirations to join the European Union, the scores in six Western Balkan countries and Turkey have not improved. Only three countries score above the global average: Georgia (56), Belarus (45) and Montenegro (45). At the bottom of the region are Turkmenistan (19), Uzbekistan (25) and Tajikistan (25). Turkey (39) declined significantly by 10 points since 2012, while Bosnia and Herzegovina (36) declined by six points in the same period. A lack of political will and a decline in implementation of laws and regulations are real challenges. Strong political influence over oversight institutions, insufficient judicial independence and limited press freedoms serve to create an over-concentration of power in many countries across the region. Since 2012, Belarus (45), Kyrgyzstan (30) and Uzbekistan (25) have significantly improved on the CPI. However, these three post-Soviet states continue to experience state capture and a 16 failure to preserve checks and balances. While Uzbekistan has loosened some media restrictions, it still remains one of the most authoritarian regimes worldwide.35 State capture and the concentration of power in private hands remain a major stumbling block in the region. Corruption can only be addressed effectively if political leaders prioritise public interests and set an example for transparency. CORRUPTION PERCEPTIONS INDEX 2019 COUNTRIES TO WATCH Armenia With a score of 42, Armenia improves by seven points since last year. Following the revolution in 2018 and the formation of a new parliament, the country has demonstrated promising developments in advancing anticorruption policy reforms.36 Despite these improvements, conflicts of interests and nontransparent and unaccountable public operations remain impediments to ending corruption in the country.37 enforcement and the judiciary are critical first steps in ensuring appropriate checks and balances and improving anti-corruption efforts.38 While improving political integrity will take time and resources, increasing public trust in law In Armenia, political will and implementation of anti-corruption policies are important, while fundamental and urgent change of political culture and governance is crucial. Photo: Amnat Phuthamrong/shutterstock.com Kosovo With a score of 36, Kosovo, is experiencing a shift in parliamentary power that could offer an opportunity for change. After years of criticising the government and international community in Kosovo for their failure to address corruption,39 the Self-Determination (Vetevendosje) party, which recently won a majority of parliamentary seats, has a chance to demonstrate its commitment to combating corruption.40 During the election campaign, the party was one of a few that responded to requests to disclose campaign costs. However, it remains to be seen if a new government will live up to a higher standard of political integrity. It can do so by abandoning the usual practice of political appointments in state-owned enterprises and by establishing a strong legal obligation for financial disclosure by political parties. In Kosovo, the new parliament has an opportunity to reverse the shortcomings of the previous administration and prioritise anti-corruption efforts. Photo: Albinfo/Wikimedia Commons 17 TRANSPARENCY INTERNATIONAL MIDDLE EAST & NORTH AFRICA With the same average score of 39 as last year, there is little progress in improving control of corruption in the Middle East and North Africa region. TOP SCORERS 18 AVERAGE REGIONAL SCORE With a score of 71, the United Arab Emirates is the best regional performer, followed by Qatar (62). At the bottom of the region, Syria scores 13, followed by Yemen with a score of 15. Both countries are significant decliners on the CPI, with Yemen dropping eight points since 2012 and Syria dropping 13 points during the same period. The region faces significant corruption challenges that highlight a lack of political integrity. According to our recent report, Global Corruption 18 BOTTOM SCORERS /100 71/100 QATAR 62/100 COUNTRIES ASSESSED 39 UNITED ARAB EMIRATES LIBYA 18/100 YEMEN 15/100 SYRIA 13/100 Barometer — Middle East and North Africa, nearly one in two people in Lebanon is offered bribes in exchange for their votes, while more than one in four receives threats if they don’t vote a certain way.41 In a region where fair and democratic elections are the exception, state capture is commonplace. Powerful individuals routinely divert public funds to their own pockets at the expense of ordinary citizens. Separation of powers is another challenge: independent judiciaries with the potential to act as a check on the executive branch are rare or non-existent.42 To improve citizens’ trust in government, countries must build transparent and accountable institutions and prosecute wrongdoing. They should also hold free and fair elections and allow for citizen engagement and participation in decision-making. CORRUPTION PERCEPTIONS INDEX 2019 COUNTRIES TO WATCH Tunisia With a score of 43, Tunisia remains at a standstill on the CPI despite advances in anticorruption legislation over the past five years. Recent laws to protect whistleblowers and improve access to information, combined with stronger social accountability and space for civil society, are important steps, but they are not enough. For anti-corruption laws to be effective, decrees and implementing orders from the executive branch are needed. In addition, financial and human resources are vital to strengthen the country’s anti-corruption commission and increase its independence. slow.44 An independent judiciary is another major challenge. While the recent establishment of a judiciary council is encouraging, the council is not yet fully operational and still lacks total independence from the legislative branch.45 To date, few political leaders have been prosecuted for corruption,43 and recovery of stolen assets is In Tunisia, the lack of enforcement of laws and regulations is a major challenge. Without proper implementation mechanisms and administrative decrees, laws will remain ineffective. Photo: ColorMaker/Shutterstock.com Saudi Arabia With a score of 53, Saudi Arabia improved by four points since last year. However, its score does not reflect the myriad problems in the country, including a dismal human rights record and severe restrictions on journalists, political activists and other citizens. In 2017, the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman carried out an ”anti-corruption” purge as part of his reform of the country. Despite government claims of recovering approximately US$106 billion of stolen assets,46 there was no due process, transparent investigation or fair and free trial for suspects.47 This year, Saudi Arabia takes on the presidency of the G20. As it assumes this leadership role, the country must end its crackdown on civil liberties and strengthen further checks on the executive branch to foster transparency and accountability. The social and economic reforms that helped improve Saudi Arabia’s business environment and attract foreign investment came with a heavy human rights price tag. Photo: Faisal Nasser/Reuters 19 TRANSPARENCY INTERNATIONAL SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA As the lowest-scoring region on the CPI, with an average of 32, Sub-Saharan Africa’s performance paints a bleak picture of inaction against corruption. TOP SCORERS 49 AVERAGE REGIONAL SCORE With a score of 66, the Seychelles earns the highest mark in the region, followed by Botswana (61), Cabo Verde (58), Rwanda (53) and Mauritius (52). At the bottom of the index are Somalia (9), South Sudan (12), Sudan (16) and Equatorial Guinea (16). Significant improvers since 2012, Cote d’Ivoire (35) and Senegal (45) still have much work to do. The political will demonstrated by the leaders of both countries, which saw a number of key legal, policy and institutional reforms implemented in their early days in office, has been on a backslide since 2016. 20 BOTSWANA CABO VERDE 58/100 BOTTOM SCORERS /100 66/100 61/100 COUNTRIES ASSESSED 32 SEYCHELLES SUDAN 16/100 SOUTH SUDAN 12/100 SOMALIA 9/100 Since 2012, several countries, including Congo (19), Liberia (28), Madagascar (24) and Malawi (31) have significantly declined on the CPI. Congo has been the subject of repeated reports of money laundering and embezzlement of public funds by the country’s political elite48 with no action taken by national authorities.49 In Madagascar, despite a 2018 constitutional court ruling against electoral amendments favouring the incumbent president and cited as unconstitutional, judicial independence remains a concern.50 More recently, the national anti-corruption agency began legal action against more than half of the country’s parliamentarians, who stand accused of taking bribes.51 Money is used to win elections, consolidate power and further personal interests. Although the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combatting Corruption has provisions to prevent corruption and encourage transparency in campaign financing, implementation is weak. CORRUPTION PERCEPTIONS INDEX 2019 COUNTRIES TO WATCH Angola Following four decades of authoritarian rule, Angola (26) jumped seven points in this year’s CPI, making it a significant improver. However, given its overall low score, the country is still well below the global average of 43. also known as “Africa’s richest woman”, was fired from her job as head of the state oil and gas firm, Sonangol, months after President Lourenço’s election. In December 2019, as investigations into corruption allegations progressed, an Angolan court ordered a freeze of Dos Santos’s assets.52 Isabel Dos Santos, the former president’s daughter, who is Although the country has recovered US$5 billion in stolen assets, more needs to be done to strengthen integrity and promote transparency in accounting for oil revenue.53 Following a change of regime in 2017, the Angolan government introduced a set of governance reforms to crack down on corruption. Photo: Stephen Eisenhammer/Reuters Ghana Known as a beacon of democracy in West Africa, Ghana dropped seven points on the CPI since 2014, moving from 48 in 2014 to 41 in 2019. Revelations of bribery in Ghana’s high court in 201554 and the murder of investigative journalist Ahmed Hussein-Suale in early 201955 cast serious doubts on the country’s anticorruption efforts. Despite these developments, there is hope for change. In 2017, the Office of Special Prosecutor was established, which has the power to investigate and prosecute cases of corruption. In 2019, a right to information bill was also passed. These efforts, combined with the enhanced performance of the Auditor General’s office, offer hope for improvement. Given recent scandals, corruption is expected to feature prominently in electoral debates during the upcoming elections in 2020. Photo: demerzel21/iStockphoto.com 21 TRANSPARENCY INTERNATIONAL WESTERN EUROPE & EUROPEAN UNION Fourteen of the top 20 countries in this year’s CPI are from Western Europe and the European Union (EU), including nine countries from the EU alone. TOP SCORERS 31 AVERAGE REGIONAL SCORE Despite being the best performing region, with an average score of 66 out of 100, Western Europe and the EU are not immune to corruption. With 87 points, Denmark is the highest-scoring country in the region, followed by Finland (86), Sweden (85) and Switzerland (85). At the bottom of the region are Bulgaria (43), Romania (44) and Hungary (44). With a score of 53, Italy increased by 11 points since 2012 while Greece (48) increased by 12 points during the same period. Both countries experienced 22 FINLAND SWEDEN 85/100 BOTTOM SCORERS /100 87/100 86/100 COUNTRIES ASSESSED 66 DENMARK HUNGARY 44/100 ROMANIA 44/100 BULGARIA 43/100 concrete improvements, including legislative progress in Italy with the passage of anti-corruption laws56 and the creation of an anti-corruption agency57 in both countries. Most post-communist EU member states are struggling to address corruption effectively. Several countries, including Hungary, Poland and Romania, have taken steps to undermine judicial independence, which weakens their ability to prosecute cases of high-level corruption.58 In the Czech Republic (56), recent scandals involving the prime minister and his efforts to obtain public money through EU subsidies for his company highlight a startling lack of political integrity.59 The scandals also point to an insufficient level of transparency in political campaign financing. Issues of conflict of interest, abuse of state resources for electoral purposes, insufficient disclosure of political party and campaign financing, and a lack of media independence are prevalent and should take priority both for national governments and the EU. CORRUPTION PERCEPTIONS INDEX 2019 COUNTRIES TO WATCH Malta With a score of 54, Malta is a significant decliner on the CPI, dropping six points since 2015. Given the “pair of political machines [that] have [for decades] operated with impunity on the island”60 it’s no wonder that two years after the assassination of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, who was killed while reporting on corruption, the country is still mired in corruption. Despite calls from Maltese citizens, Caruana Galizia’s family and the international community to solve the case, the government dragged its feet in the judicial procedures. Several scandals involving the Panama Papers, the collapse of a Maltese bank and the “golden visa” scheme that sells Maltese citizenship to wealthy overseas investors may also contribute to Malta’s decline on the CPI. In Malta, corruption is undermining the rule of law. A significant lack of political integrity contributes to politicians and others hiding illicit wealth behind secret companies. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi/Reuters Estonia For the past decade, Estonia (74) has seen a stable rise on the CPI. A significant improver, the country increased its score by 10 points since 2012. A comprehensive legislative framework, independent institutions and effective online tools make it possible to reduce petty corruption and make political party financing open and transparent. There is a need, however, to legally define and regulate lobbying to prevent and detect undue influence on policy-making. Although private sector corruption is not captured on the CPI, recent money laundering scandals involving the Estonian branch of Danske Bank demonstrate a greater need for integrity and accountability in the banking and business sectors.61 The scandal also highlights a need for better and stronger EU-wide anti-money laundering supervision.62 The public institutions of Estonia are largely characterised by high levels of integrity and transparency. Photo: Kollawat Somsri/shutterstock.com 23 TRANSPARENCY INTERNATIONAL TROUBLE AT THE TOP Top scoring countries on the CPI like Denmark, Switzerland and Iceland are not immune to corruption. While the CPI shows these public sectors to be among the cleanest in the world, corruption still exists, particularly in cases of money laundering and other private sector corruption. The Nordic economies stand out as leaders on the CPI, with Denmark (87), Finland (86), Sweden (85), Norway (84) and Iceland (78) taking five of the top 11 places. However, integrity at home does not always translate into integrity abroad, and multiple scandals in 2019 demonstrated that transnational corruption is often facilitated, enabled and perpetuated by seemingly clean Nordic countries. Despite some high-profile fines and prosecutions, our research shows that enforcement of foreign bribery laws among OECD countries is shockingly low.63 The outsized roles that some companies play in their national economies gives them political support that too often triumphs over real accountability. Some banks and businesses aren’t just too big to fail – they’re also too powerful to pay. Anti-money laundering supervision and sanctions for breaches are often disjointed and ineffective. The CPI highlights where stronger anti-corruption efforts are needed across the globe. It emphasises where businesses should show the greatest responsibility to promote integrity and accountability, and where governments must eliminate undue influence from private interests that can have a devastating impact on sustainable development. THE FISHROT FILES ICELAND 78/100 In November, the Fishrot Files investigation revealed that Samherji, one of Iceland’s largest fishing conglomerates, allegedly bribed government officials in Namibia (52) and Angola (26) for rights to massive fishing quotas. The company established shell companies in tax havens such as the UAE (71), Mauritius (52), Cyprus (58) and the Marshall Islands, some of which were allegedly used to launder the proceeds of corrupt deals. Many of the funds seem to have been transferred through a Norwegian state-owned bank, DNB.64 bribery illicit finances 24 NORWAY 84/100 CYPRUS 58/100 UNITED ARAB EMIRATES 71/100 ANGOLA 26/100 NAMIBIA 52/100 MAURITIUS 52/100 MARSHALL ISLANDS CORRUPTION PERCEPTIONS INDEX 2019 TELECOM BRIBERY Last year, Swedish telecoms giant, Ericsson, agreed to pay over US$1 billion to settle a foreign bribery case over its 16-year cash-forcontracts campaign in China (41), Djibouti (30), Kuwait (40), Indonesia (40) and Vietnam (37). This is the second largest fine paid to US authorities.65 SWEDEN CHINA 85/100 41/100 VIETNAM 37/100 KUWAIT 40/100 DJIBOUTI bribery INDONESIA 30/100 40/100 THE SNC-LAVALIN AFFAIR In Canada (77), which drops four points since last year, a former executive of construction company SNC-Lavalin was convicted in December over bribes the company paid in Libya (18). CANADA 77/100 LIBYA 18/100 bribery DANSKE BANK SCANDAL Following the money laundering scandal at Danske Bank, the largest bank in Denmark (87), major banks like Swedbank in Sweden (85) and Deutsche Bank in Germany (80), were reportedly investigated in 2019 for their role in handling suspicious payments from high-risk non-resident clients, mostly from Russia (28), through Estonia (74). illicit finances DENMARK 87/100 GERMANY 80/100 SWEDEN 85/100 ESTONIA RUSSIA 74/100 28/100 25 TRANSPARENCY INTERNATIONAL METHODOLOGY The Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) aggregates data from a number of different sources that provide perceptions by businesspeople and country experts of the level of corruption in the public sector. The following steps are taken to calculate the CPI: 1. Select data sources. Each data source used to construct the CPI must fulfil the following criteria to qualify as a valid source: + Quantifies risks or perceptions of corruption in the public sector + Is based on a reliable and valid methodology + Comes from a reputable organisation + Allows for sufficient variation of scores to distinguish between countries + Ranks a substantial number of countries 26 + Considers only the assessments of country experts or businesspeople + Is regularly updated The CPI 2019 is calculated using 13 different data sources from 12 different institutions that capture perceptions of corruption within the past two years. 2. Standardise data sources to a scale of 0-100. This standardisation is done by subtracting the mean of each source in the baseline year from each country score, then dividing by the standard deviation of that source in the baseline year. This subtraction and division using the baseline year parameters ensures that the CPI scores are comparable year on year since 2012. After this procedure, the standardised scores are transformed to the CPI scale by multiplying with the value of the CPI standard deviation in 2012 (20) and adding the mean of CPI in 2012 (45), so that the data set fits the CPI’s 0-100 scale. 3. Calculate the average. For a country or territory to be included in the CPI, a minimum of three sources must assess that country. A country’s CPI score is then calculated as the average of all standardised scores available for that country. Scores are rounded to whole numbers. 4. Report the measure of uncertainty. The CPI score is accompanied by a standard error and confidence interval. This captures the variation across the data sources available for a country or territory. CORRUPTION PERCEPTIONS INDEX 2019 ENDNOTES 1 Based on the variable Power Distributed by social group (v2pepwrsoc) in Varieties of Democracy, https://www.v-dem.net/en/data/dataversion-9/ 2 Electoral Integrity Project, Perceptions of US Electoral Integrity, May 2019, https://www. electoralintegrityproject.com/data 3 The data is taken from the variable “v2eldonate” in the VDEM dataset, which rates the disclosure of campaign donations in national election campaigns. The answers to the question range from a scale of 0 for no disclosure requirements to 4 for comprehensive requirements that are consistently observed and enforced. For data visualization purposes, categories 0 and 1 were merged. 4 OSCE, Bosnia and Herzegovina General Elections: ODIHR Election Observation Mission Final Report, 2019, https://www.osce.org/odihr/elections/ bih/389537 5 Kalinowski, T., Rhyu, S.Y. and Croissant, A, South Korea Report: Sustainable Governance Indicators 2019. Bertelsmann Stiftung, 2019, https://www.sgi-network.org/2019/ South_Korea 6 Bertelsmann Stiftung, BTI 2018 Country Report — Côte d’Ivoire. Bertelsmann Stiftung, 2018, https:// www.bti-project.org/fileadmin/files/ BTI/Downloads/Reports/2018/pdf/ BTI_2018_Cote_d_Ivoire.pdf 7 The data is taken from the variable “v2dlconslt” in the VDEM dataset, which rates the range of consultation when policy changes are being considered. The answers to the question range from 0 for no consultation to 5 for comprehensive consultation exercises involving all parts of the political spectrum and other relevant actors (business and civil society). For visualization purposes the categories were merged into three categories only, one for consultation with groups close to the government, one with political groups not in the government and a last category containing a broader range of actors. 8 Freedom House, Freedom in the World 2019: Nicaragua, February 2019, https://freedomhouse.org/report/ freedom-world/2019/nicaragua 9 Freedom House, Freedom in the World 2019: Ecuador, February 2019, https://freedomhouse.org/report/ freedom-world/2019/ecuador 10 Freedom House, Freedom in the World 2019: Turkey, February 2019, https://freedomhouse.org/report/ freedom-world/2019/turkey 11 Transparency International, 25 corruption scandals that shook the world, July 2019, https://www. transparency.org/news/feature/25_ corruption_scandals 12 Deutsche Welle, Odebrecht bribed across Latin America, December 2016, https://www.dw.com/en/ odebrecht-bribed-across-latinamerica/a-36887600 13 Transparency International, Global Corruption Barometer – Latin America and the Caribbean, September 2019, https://www.transparency. org/gcb10/latin-america-and-thecaribbean 14 Cámara De Diputados Del H. Congreso De La Unión, Ley Orgánica De La Fiscalía General De La República, December 2018, http://www. diputados.gob.mx/LeyesBiblio/pdf/ LOFGR_201218.pdf 15 Milken Institute Review, Authoritarian Populism Loses Its Glow in Nicaragua, July 2018, https:// www.milkenreview.org/articles/ authoritarian-populism-loses-its-glowin-nicaragua 16 Thomas, Troy, Optimism about fighting corruption in Guyana, September 2019, https://voices. transparency.org/optimism-aboutfighting-corruption-in-guyanaf5307f402344 17 Pew Research Center. Public Trust in Government: 1958-2019, April 2019, https://www.people-press. org/2019/04/11/public-trust-ingovernment-1958-2019/ 18 The New York Times. Clash Between Trump and House Democrats Poses Threat to Constitutional Order, May 2019, https://www.nytimes. com/2019/05/07/us/politics/trumpdemocrats.html 19 Open Secrets, Lobbying spending reaches $3.4 billion in 2018, highest in 8 years, January 2019, https://www. opensecrets.org/news/2019/01/ lobbying-spending-reaches-3-4-billionin-18/ 27 TRANSPARENCY INTERNATIONAL 20 Fact Coalition, Incorporation Transparency, https://thefactcoalition. org/issues/incorporationtransparency 2018, https://theconversation. com/australias-political-lobbyingregime-is-broken-and-needs-urgentreform-123003 21 Bloomberg, Trump Team’s Conflicts and Scandals: An Interactive Guide, March 2019, https://www. bloomberg.com/graphics/trumpadministration-conflicts/ 29 Quartz, Here’s why India’s electoral bonds make political funding even more opaque, April 2019, https://qz.com/ india/1593577/modis-electoral-bondsmake-2019-indian-election-fundingopaque/ 22 The New York Times. Trump ‘Ignored and Injured’ the National Interest, Democrats Charge in Impeachment Articles, December 2019, https://www.nytimes. com/2019/12/10/us/politics/trumpimpeachment-articles.html 23 Politico. GOP Rep. Louie Gohmert publicly identifies person purported to be whistleblower, December 2019, https://www.politico.com/ news/2019/12/11/gohmertwhistleblower-impeachment-083234 24 France, Guilherme, Brazil: setbacks in the legal and institutional anti-corruption frameworks. Transparency International, November 2019, https://www. transparency.org/whatwedo/ publication/brazil_setbacks_in_ the_legal_and_institutional_anti_ corruption_frameworks 25 Martini, Maíra, Brazil’s Supreme Court halts anti-money laundering investigations, July 2019, https:// voices.transparency.org/the-role-offinancial-intelligence-units-and-thefight-against-corruption-in-brazile745f1c8e749 26 Folha de Sao Paulo, Dodge compara STF a ‘tribunal de exceção’ e vê inquérito das fake news como ilegal, August 2019, https://www1.folha. uol.com.br/poder/2019/08/dodgecompara-stf-a-tribunal-de-excecaoe-ve-inquerito-das-fake-news-comoilegal.shtml 27 Freedom House, Regions: AsiaPacific, 2019, https://freedomhouse. org/regions/asia-pacific 28 The Conversation, Australia’s political lobbying regime is broken and needs urgent reform, September 28 30 Asia Times, End of an anticorruption era in Indonesia, January 2020, https://www.asiatimes. com/2020/01/article/end-of-an-anticorruption-era-in-indonesia/ 31 Center for Strategic and International Studies, Jokowi 2.0: Policy, Politics, and Prospects for Reform, October 2019, https://www. csis.org/analysis/jokowi-20-policypolitics-and-prospects-reform 32 The Jakarta Post, Indonesia has reasons for optimism despite democratic setbacks, December 2019, https://www.thejakartapost. com/news/2019/12/10/indonesiahas-reasons-for-optimism-despitedemocratic-setbacks.html 33 Brookings Institution, The Anatomy Of Illiberal States: Assessing And Responding To Democratic Decline In Turkey And Central Europe, February 2019, https://www.brookings.edu/ wp-content/uploads/2019/02/illiberalstates-web.pdf 34 International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance, The Global State of Democracy 2019, November 2019, https://www.idea.int/ publications/catalogue/global-stateof-democracy-2019 35  Freedom House, Freedom in the World 2019: Uzbekistan, February 2019, https://freedomhouse. org/report/freedom-world/2019/ uzbekistan 36 OCCRP, Armenia Continues Systemic Anti-Corruption Campaign, July 2018, https://www.occrp.org/ en/27-ccwatch/cc-watch-briefs/8395armenia-continues-systemic-anticorruption-campaign 37 OECD, Anti-corruption reforms in Armenia: 4th round of monitoring of the Istanbul Anti-Corruption Action Plan, July 2018, https://www.oecd.org/ corruption/acn/OECD-ACN-Armenia4th-Round-Monitoring-Report-July2018-ENG.pdf 38 Transparency International Armenia, Statement on International Anti-corruption Day, December 2019, https://transparency.am/en/news/ view/2943 39 Financial Times, Kosovo ‘enslaved from within’ by corruption, says incoming PM, December 2019, https:// www.ft.com/content/ddc2f794-060e11ea-a984-fbbacad9e7dd 40 Al Jazeera, ‘New chapter’: What a left-wing victory means for Kosovo, October 2019, https://www. aljazeera.com/indepth/features/ chapter-left-wing-victory-meanskosovo-191007084722337.html 41 Transparency International, Global Corruption Barometer – Middle East and North Africa 2019, December 2019, https://www.transparency.org/ gcb10/middle-east-and-north-africa 42  International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance, The Global State of Democracy 2019, November 2019, https://www.idea.int/ publications/catalogue/global-stateof-democracy-2019 43  Independent Arabia, We are headed towards a “mafia state”, May 2019, http://bit.ly/2sssRW8 44 Mosaique FM, Rahmani: These are the reasons for the slow pace of the recovery of looted funds, June 2019, http://bit.ly/2FL8aaQ 45 Al-Quds-Al-Arabi, Was the independence of the judicial council achieved after the revolution?, September 2019, http://bit.ly/30lsidi 46 The Guardian, Saudi Arabia claims anti-corruption purge recouped $100bn, January 2018, https://www. theguardian.com/world/2018/jan/30/ anti-corruption-purge-nets-morethan-100bn-saudi-arabia-claims CORRUPTION PERCEPTIONS INDEX 2019 47  Human Rights Watch, Saudi Arabia: Clarify Status of ‘Corruption’ Detainees, February 2019, https:// www.hrw.org/news/2019/02/18/ saudi-arabia-clarify-status-corruptiondetainees 48 Quartz, Congo Brazzaville’s ‘first son’ laundered $50 million through six European countries – report, August 2019, https://qz.com/africa/1682083/ congo-brazzaville-president-sonaccused-of-laundering-50m/ 49 Freedom House, Freedom in the World 2019: Republic of Congo, February 2019, https://freedomhouse. org/report/freedom-world/2019/ congo-republic-brazzaville 50 Freedom House, Freedom in the World 2019: Madagascar, February 2019, https://freedomhouse. org/report/freedom-world/2019/ madagascar 51 OCCRP, Over Half of Madagascar’s MPs Accused of Corruption, May 2019, https://www.occrp.org/en/daily/9765over-half-of-madagascar-s-mp-saccused-of-corruption 52 Reuters, Angola hits ‘Princess’ dos Santos with asset freeze, December 2019, https://www.reuters.com/ article/us-angola-corruption/angolahits-princess-dos-santos-with-assetfreeze-idUSKBN1YZ0IB 53 Al Jazeera, Angola recovers more than $5bn in stolen assets, December 2019, https://www.aljazeera.com/ news/2019/12/angola-recovers-5bnstolen-assets-191217172830128.html 54 Reuters, Ghana suspends seven high court judges over corruption accusations, October 2015, https://www.reuters.com/ article/us-ghana-judiciary/ghanasuspends-seven-high-court-judgesover-corruption-accusationsidUSKCN0S002U20151006 55 BBC News, Murder in Accra: The life and death of Ahmed Hussein-Suale, January 2019, https://www.bbc.com/ news/world-africa-47002878 56 Reuters, Italy parliament approves corruption crackdown in win for 5-Star, December 2018, https://www.reuters. com/article/us-italy-corruption-law/ italy-parliament-approves-corruptioncrackdown-in-win-for-5-staridUSKBN1OH25B 57 OCCRP, Greece: New Government Forms Anti-Graft Body, August 2018, https://www.occrp.org/en/27-ccwatch/ cc-watch-briefs/10588-greece-newgovernment-forms-anti-graft-body 58 Reuters, EU targets Poland, Romania with defense of judicial independence, April 2019, https:// www.reuters.com/article/us-eupoland-judiciary/eu-targets-polandromania-with-defense-of-judicialindependence-idUSKCN1RF14V https://www.transparency.org/ whatwedo/publication/exporting_ corruption_2018 64 Stundin, An Icelandic fishing company bribed officials in Namibia and used Norway’s largest bank to transfer 70 million dollars to a tax haven, November 2019, https:// stundin.is/grein/9920/?sfns=mo 65 BBC News, Sweden’s Ericsson to pay over $1bn to settle US corruption probe, December 2019, https:// www.bbc.com/news/world-uscanada-50695438 59 Transparency International, European commission confirms Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš has conflict of interest, June 2019, https://www. transparency.org/news/pressrelease/ european_commission_confirms_ czech_prime_minister_andrej_babish_ has_conflic 60 The Guardian, Malta’s corruption is not just in the heart of government, it’s the entire body, December 2019, https://www.theguardian.com/ commentisfree/2019/dec/03/maltacorruption-daphne-caruana-galiziamurder 61 Martini, Maíra, Why Danske Bank Estonia appears in so many moneylaundering scandals, August 2018, https://voices.transparency.org/ why-danske-bank-estonia-appears-inso-many-money-laundering-scandals424047fe987c 62 Brillaud, Laure and Martini, Maíra, The case for an EU anti-money laundering agency is clear: will the EU take action?, December 2019, https:// voices.transparency.org/the-case-foran-eu-anti-money-laundering-agencyis-clear-will-the-eu-take-actiona12133d59896 63 Dell, Gillian and McDevitt, Andrew, Exporting Corruption Progress Report 2018: Assessing enforcement of the OECD antibribery convention. Transparency International, September 2018, 29 CREATE CHANGE WITH US ENGAGE Follow us, share your views and discuss corruption with people from around the world on social media. facebook.com/TransparencyInternational/ twitter.com/anticorruption/ linkedin.com/company/transparency-international/ instagram.com/Transparency_International/ youtube.com/user/TransparencyIntl/ LEARN Visit our website to learn more about our work in more than 100 countries and sign up for the latest news in the fight against corruption. transparency.org DONATE Your donation will help us provide support to thousands of victims of corruption, develop new tools and research and hold governments and businesses to their promises. We want to build a fairer, more just world. 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